can i break a lease if i am a co signer on a 1 year rent

[hyechica]

i live in ct and signed a lease with a friend of mine for one year in this apt me and my friend are no longer on speaking terms and i am in the process of moving out from this place. i am not looking for any security deposits back. i am just wondering if i can take my name of the lease without any penelties? the friend will be staying the rest of the lease in the apt. is there a way for me to go about this? also the friend is the main person on the lease i was the cosigner on the lease

[sandyclaus]

Originally Posted by hyechica i live in ct and signed a lease with a friend of mine for one year in this apt me and my friend are no longer on speaking terms and i am in the process of moving out from this place. i am not looking for any security deposits back. i am just wondering if i can take my name of the lease without any penelties? the friend will be staying the rest of the lease in the apt. is there a way for me to go about this? also the friend is the main person on the lease i was the cosigner on the lease

The only way to remove yourself from the lease is if the LL agrees to release you. Chances are, because the other party was required to have a co-signer (you), LL is not likely to let you out of it.

If you move out, and your friend does not pay the rent in full, you both will be on the hook for the balance of the lease term until the LL can find someone to replace you in the rental unit. And since your friend required a co-signer in the 1st place, who do you think they'll go after to collect from? If you think you can get out of this without having your credit damaged or incurring penalties, you'd better think again.

Lesson? Know full well who you enter a contract with, either as a primary or a co-signer. Unless you're sure you'll remain on good terms, don't co-sign a loan or lease with friends. You'll lose the friend and gain a huge financial burden.

"The only way to remove yourself from the lease is if the LL agrees to release you."

The only way to be released is if EVERYONE agrees to allow you to be released, not just you and the LL. If the other tenant doesn't agree, your lease cannot be broken. You cannot simply make him 100% responsible for the rent without his consent.