Can I get out of a lease if I didnt pay an application fee or?
Can I get out of a lease if I didnt pay an application fee or deposit? Disclaimer: Im not a lawyer, so this isnt legal advice. It depends. Did you sign a document? If so, what did it say? Frankly, it doesnt matter whether you paid an application fee. That wont let you off the hook. Basically, a lease is a contract. Contracts require some sort of considerationoften but not always moneyin order to be binding. Thats why its important to read whatever document you signed. How does it address payment, consideration, or some other fund transference? All of this presupposes you signed something. If you didnt sign anything and didnt transfer any money, then it could be argued that theres no lease to get out of. Actuallyand please bear with me hereyou can have a lease just based on a handshake (or in this era of COVID-19, an elbow bump). If both parties are willing to abide by the agreed-upon terms, then youve got a workable agreement. But that agreement isnt legally enforceable. You (or the landlord) cant go to court and have the lease enforced. It still exists, but its not enforceable. Since you presumably want to get out of a lease, the first question is whether theres a lease to get out of. Signed lease and some sort of consideration provided? Theres very likely a lease. No signed lease and no consideration? Very likely no lease. Again, read any document you signed. For more information, consult a lawyer.