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Complicated ending of lease advice needed
Hi there,
A little bit complicated but here goes:
I have been living in my building for 7 years, and earlier this year switched apartments signing a new 9 year lease with the same landlord. We've always had a good relationship, he isn't the most pro-active of landlords but would not call him malicious in any way.
Due to circumstances beyond my control I now have to break my lease as I have to move at the end of October to the Netherlands. I completely understand that I am breaking the contract, and need to find someone to take it on to avoid paying the 3 month indemnity.
This is the complicated part; at the same time I handed my notice there started to be a leak in the ceiling which I notified the landlord of immediately. For various reasons he waited to have it checked out officially, the source of the leak was incorrectly diagnosed, then another survey etc etc. The short of it is I have now been living in my apartment for 3 weeks with a great gaping hole in the ceiling of one room and a pipe going out of the window to let out excess water when it rains and I have no news of what is being fixed or when. Because of the recent weather it seems impossible to get this fixed any quicker (so I am told). It has now got to a point where I have a proxy in constant contact with the workmen to get any form of update - the landlord has given up chasing them himself!
In the current state the apartment is in I can't take photos or find someone to take on the lease (no one in their right mind would sign without a commitment of the ceiling being fixed)! And I can't help but feel like this isn't exactly a priority for him, as there isn't an incentive for my landlord to get it fixed - if I can't find a replacement he gets a nice tidy 3 month rental indemnity and my rent until the end of November.
I've read some other posts on here about the 'huurdersbond' but can't find anything in English to proceed with that. I'm just looking for some advice, or point in the right direction.
At this moment in time I'm paying my full rent (it runs from the 15th of the month and I couldn't stop / reduce in time) with no hope of finding someone to take on my lease for when I want to leave in 4 weeks.
Any help or advice would be appreciated as I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I used the huurdersbond many years ago and found them to be a great help. I've had a look on their website and you're right, there's nothing in English. Is it possible to get someone Dutch speaking to help you get an appointment and go along with you? They really are the people to go to in your situation. I'm sorry I can't be of more help and hope you find a solution soon.
Have you taken photos of the damage to support any complaint you might lodge in future?
Unethical I know....but, you could withhold your final month's rent and just leave for NL. You'd end up losing one month of your security deposit as against 3 if you pay the penalty for breaking your contract. This guy is stringing this out because he knows he's quids in. Get mean! What are the chances he could track you down?
