I wanted to know what the policy is regarding breaking a lease if someone who lives near us in the building has coronavirus? Would we just lose our one month security, or could the landlord sue us for the remainder of the lease payments.
Dear Manhattan Tenant:xpectt
And where will you relocate to right now? There is no place to run away to and expect that the virus will skip.
How much time would you need? Likely by the time you pack and move the stricken neighbor would recover. Then what is the rationale for breaking the lease?
If you are planning to move no matter what, then do not expect your landlord will let you go without some cost to you. Right now, your landlord faces a State Law that requires finding a new tenant to replace you willing to pay at least the same rent as you. If in this lockdown, social isolation phase, your landlord cannot replace you for some time, you become liable for the unpaid rent after the new tenant starts to pay rent.
Your neighbors' coronavirus illness is not a sufficient basis upon which to terminate your lease. However, initially, I recommend that you contact your landlord and see if you can negotiate a release. If not, if you vacate,before your landlord can hold you liable for the remainder of your lease, it must make reasonable efforts to re-rent your apartment at the same rent you were paying or at market value, whicever is lower. However, considering the current coronavirus situation, it may be very difficult to re=rent your apartment and you will remain liable.
The virus is not a reason to break the lease. You will likely be sued for the balance of the lease.
