Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Breaking a Lease before taking possession

I currently live with 2 other people. We needed a new place to live. We each signed the lease last week for occupancy to begin Sept 1st. Situations have arisen that make it impossible for one person to live with the other two. Is it possible to legally break the lease prior to occupancy? Do I, as the one who wants out, have any options?


Asked on 8/13/03, 9:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Baker Law Office of David Baker

Re: Breaking a Lease before taking possession

The easiest way out of this is to agree to find someone else to take your place and/or offer to pay for one month while they find someone else. Although you say there is a written lease, I don't know whether it is a month to month lease or a lease for a year or two. If it's a month to month, you probably can get out of it by giving notice NOW and agreeing to pay for one month. Either way, making a deal with your soon to be former roommates is a lot cheaper that getting into a legal battle! Good Luck. David Baker

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Answered on 8/13/03, 3:08 pm


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