An apartment break-in can be a terrifying and traumatic experience. Crime in your apartment doesn't always entitle you to break your lease, though. Instead, you'll have to demonstrate that the break-in was directly related to the landlord's negligence and that such negligence constituted a material breach of your lease. Even if you have a strong case, you could still end up litigating the issue in court.
Breaking a Lease
Your lease is a legally binding contract. Consequently, you can only break the lease if you follow the specific steps outlined in the lease, or if you can demonstrate that the landlord breached the lease first. For example, if your landlord guaranteed you a safe apartment or if he promised door locks that you did not have, this would constitute a material breach. Your lease may still require that you send your landlord notice that you intend to break it. Otherwise, you could be stuck paying fees to end your lease.
Premises Liability
Premises liability is the liability of a property owner for crimes that occur on the property. In many cases, an apartment management company will be legally liable for a burglary that occurs on the property, but such liability won't necessarily entitle you to break the lease unless you can demonstrate that the burglary somehow violated your contract. Instead, you can sue your landlord to recover your damages. You might be able to negotiate a settlement with your landlord in which you agree not to sue in return for being permitted to break your lease early.
Notifying Your Landlord
If you believe that the burglary violates your lease, you need to notify your landlord in writing prior to moving out. Itemize the specific ways in which the lease was violated. For example, if a maintenance person went to your home without your permission and then left the doors unlocked, this might be a violation. Your letter can serve as evidence if your landlord tries to sue you for breaking your lease. Send the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested. If your lease requires that you give specific notice a certain amount of time prior to breaking your lease, send your letter in this time frame.
Potential for Litigation
If your landlord disagrees with your decision to break your lease, the decision could be left to a judge. Your landlord can sue you for terminating your lease early. If this happens, it's a wise idea to hire a lawyer. You'll need to present evidence of the burglary -- such as police reports and photos -- as well as evidence of how the burglary violated your lease. If you allege that the burglary was due to your landlord's negligence in a counter-suit, you'll also need to provide specific evidence of how your landlord was negligent.
