As I mentioned yesterday, you might have to move out of an apartment because of a check-bouncing roommate. But that’s not the only reason you might have to move. Here are a few scenarios that are just cause to move. Tomorrow I’ll tell you how to do it right.
How You Know It’s Time to Move Out of an Apartment
People move in and out of apartments all the time. During my many years in one complex, I saw neighbors come and go. I was also on a revolving door for a brief period myself. Here are just a few possible scenarios that might necessitate a move.
You and Your Roommate Don’t Get Along
If would rather hide out in your room than deal with your roommate, that’s not the right situation for you. It’s one thing to not hang out, but it’s quite another to actively avoid each other. You should at least have a decent rapport with your roomie if you’re going to spend a lot of money on rent.
Your Roommate Is In an Abusive Relationship
This is one I experienced. My roommate was in an abusive relationship when we met. He was incarcerated when we moved into the apartment and she promised me it was over. Well, it wasn’t and he eventually started living in our apartment. The first time he hit her, I was out of there. I couldn’t rescue her, but I could rescue myself from that situation.
Your Roommate Moves in a Boyfriend/Girlfriend
This happened to my husband. His roommate did ask permission to move her in, but the love of his roommate’s life turned out to be a mean, hateful woman who made everyone else in the apartment miserable. Not only did my husband move out, but so did his third roommate. They simply couldn’t stand living in that atmosphere.
Your Roommate Becomes Dangerous or Unstable
If your roommate becomes abusive towards you or develops a drug habit, then it’s time to move. You may not need to move if your roommate develops a mental illness, although it may be necessary in some cases. If it does, contact your roommate’s family or a mental health agency first to ensure that your roommate receives the support she needs.
Your Neighborhood or Building Becomes Unsafe
Some neighborhoods decline over time. What was once a decent yet affordable area can become unsafe. If the crime rate in your area is increasing, it may be time to move to a safer area even if it means paying more for rent. It’s better than being mugged or worse.
Your Building Declines
A neighborhood can be perfectly safe, but sometimes buildings go downhill, too. The landlord may not be maintaining it as well or a different kind of people may be moving in. That’s my current situation. Many of my neighbors are now young graduates and are still living the dorm life. If we weren’t planning to buy property in the next 6-9 months, we would be moving. Since we do plan to buy soon, moving now would be too costly to make it worthwhile. Instead we’ll grimace and bear it for now.
You Just Hate the Place
If you hate your apartment or neighborhood, then it’s time to move. You’ll need to wait until the end of the lease, or give 30 days notice on a month-to-month lease, but tenants can and do move at the end of leases all the time. You don’t have to give a reason. Just make sure you have a new place to live before your current agreement is up.
You’re Moving Out of the Region
Moving out of the region is not usually cause for breaking a lease without penalty, however you may be able to come to an agreement with your landlord if you don’t have a choice about the move. Explain the situation to your landlord as soon as you know you have to move and be accommodating when he needs to show the unit to prospective tenants. If you’re in the military and are being transferred or deployed, you’re probably exempt for lease penalties, but you do have to give notice.
No one likes moving, but sometimes it’s necessary. Sometimes you just want to move. Whatever the situation, don’t stay in a bad apartment for too long just because moving is a hassle. Tomorrow I’ll tell you the steps you need to take to move out properly and get most of your security deposit back.