What is my responsibility if I had to vacate an apartment halfway through a lease due to respiratory issues that my dog and myself experienced?
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What is my responsibility if I had to vacate an apartment halfway through a lease due to respiratory issues that my dog and myself experienced?
I had communicated several times with the leasing office about my dog’s and my health issues and that I was planning on vacating. They were very nice to me and said they would work with me. The apartment leasing/management also said that at most I would be responsible for minimal amount. After 7 months I handed them the keys and vacated thinking that they would assist with sub-lease. However, last month (my original lease ended 5 months ago), a collection agency sent me a letter demanding that I pay $8400. Do I have a case to fight and avoid the charges?
Asked on January 21, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
IF the respiratory issues were due to some thing the landlord did wrong, like not correcting a mold condition in your unit or the HVAC ducts, then you may have grounds to not pay the rent if you had to move out for health reasons: if the landlord fails to correct a condition (after having notice of it) that impairs health or the ability to safely use a rental unit, that is a violation of the "implied warranty of habitabilty." A violation of this warranty can allow the tenant to treat the lease as terminated because he/she was "constructively evicted" by unhealthy conditions. So if the landlord caused the respiratory issues, you may be able to raise the landlord's violation of the implied warranty of habitability as a defense.
But if the landlord had nothing to do with the problem--for example, you were affected by fumes or dust from a nearby construction site--you would still be liable for the rent, even if your health was impaired. Your health issues are your health issues: the landlord is not responsible for things not under its control, and you cannot terminate the lease if the landlord was not at fault.
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