How does a section 8 tenant go about breaking the lease?

Question

Hi, I am a 23 yr. old mother of two (5yr and 2yr) and I am living in a section 8 rental home. I moved in the home on Nov. 1, 2013. I am not satisfied with the house now because its not energy efficient and uninhabitable. I want to end my lease due to the construction work that needs to be done on the unit. I have been in the unit for 3 months and it is unbearable to live in during these harsh winter days/nights. What should I do about breaking this lease early with my landlord.

Kyle J. · Answer

How did the home become "uninhabitable" in less than 3 months?  Wasn't an inspection done before you moved in?

Duncan Taylor · Answer

Are there specific things needing repair? Not being energy efficient and uninhabitable aren't necesarrily the same.

What is the daytime temperatures in your unit in relation to the outside temperatures?

What is the nighttime temperatures?

Have you notified the landlord and given them an opportunity to address legitimate items?

Have you talked to your case worker?

Duncan Taylor · Answer

I understand your frustration. But, what any of us feel has no bearing on something like this.

@Joel Owens, gave you excellent advice. You need to contact the agency overseeing the section 8 housing in your area.

Rob K. · Answer

This winter has been unusually cold. People all across the country are having heating problems and other weather related issues. Once we come out of this freeze, you should be in better shape. If I were getting a free house, I would just put on a sweater and then find a different house when the lease was up.

Charles Morgan · Answer

I agree on the plastic over the windows. If there are drafts coming through the floors then carpets/rugs and peelNstick tiles will help there. I have an older home and also added vent-free heaters in the worst rooms. Unfortunately 55 degrees is not an un-inhabitable temperature and likely will not qualify as a reason to break the lease.

Colleen F. · Answer

Translation is it costs too much to heat I think?   If there are habitability issues on the property and it does not meet section 8 inspection standards or building code you can reach out to the authority that issued you section 8 voucher for avenues to take.   You can also reach out to your landlord with specific issues that need to be addressed.   Regarding breaking the lease it would likely have the same consequences of breaking any lease unless it does not meet building code standards for habitability.    Those terms would be included in your lease and likely makes you responsible for the duration of the lease term but you need to look at the lease.

Drafty windows and going light on insulation are not building code violations if that is the issue.  There are some steps you can take as a renter to decrease energy consumption such as heavy drapes, plastic seal kits you can use on windows, weather stripping.   Not sure what you can get the landlord to take on.

Colleen F. · Answer

> living in these conditions with two small children is not safe. No sweater needed, its time to end the lease because the house needs to be renovated. we have at least 2 more months of this freeze and me and my kids plan to be warm. >

It is uncomfortable  but it is only "unsafe"   if the furnace is not functioning properly and poses a hazard, make sure they check that out. However, Children or adults , being at 55 is not a safety hazard.

You have involved your caseworker, see what they can do. I advise you work proactively and positively to try to remedy the situation. You have a junky house  is probably not going to get you anywhere.   You don't seem to want to take suggestions to try to  keep you or your children warmer in the meantime. If the only fix for you is to have a major reno with new windows it isn't going to happen.  The most you will get is a furnace repair.   Therefor if no sweater is needed and it is time to end the lease you can leave now , the consequence is that it is probably going to cost you.....

Raymond B. · Answer

@Porchia Philpot,

To make the @ work, do the following:

Hold down the shift key and type @?

Look below this Window, and you will see a list of names of people that have posted in this thread.

Click on the name of the person that you want notified via an email, that you responded to them.

If you are a Colleague with anyone that has NOT posted in the thread, and you want them to see your post, hold down the shift key, type the @ and the first 4 letters of their First or Last Name.

Then look below this Window and click on that person's name.

Raymond

Joel Owens · Answer

The property could not be properly insulated, the heater could not be functioning properly, the heat run size could be inadequate to some or all of the rooms.

Really the landlord needs to have a heat guy come out and see why the property is not maintaining temp and what it would cost to fix it?? They can measure at each vent what temp is blowing out in each room.

Porchia Philpot · Answer

@Duncan Taylor Thank you, I have done so and they are working on it as we speak.. I just wanted a second opinion on the situation. :-)

How does a section 8 tenant go about breaking the lease?

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