Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I had to break a one year rental lease and moved out early. I moved out after only 6 months. I received a bill from the landlord a few months later billing me for the rest of the lease term. They claimed they couldn't rent my apartment out for 5 months! The apartment is a large complex so I had a hard time believing they couldn't rent it out. They did provide me with the new tenant's rental agreement, however, I feel they didn't even bother showing my apartment, rather they just tried to rent the other apartments before mine. In the 5 months I did live there, I saw at least 4 - 5 people move into other apartments in the complex...

So my question is does the landlord have a reasonable time to rent the apartment out or can they just let it stay empty and then just bill me for the remaining lease period?


Asked on 12/20/11, 11:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Peter Tuann Law Office of Peter Tuann

They have to use reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, such as advertising, showing, etc. If they can show they made reasonable efforts all this time, but still found no tenants, then you are liable for the balance of your rental agreement. Unless you are sure, use month to month tenancy in the future.

Read more
Answered on 12/21/11, 12:11 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in California