Breaking Lease Before Start

Summary

In Pennsylvania, once a lease is signed, it generally cannot be canceled. Exceptions include a cooling-off period, misrepresentation, or legal violations. Consulting a local attorney is advisable for personalized advice.

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I signed a lease two days ago, and it has not started yet. Can I get out of it?
Hello Devon Jones, to provide you the most accurate information, could you please tell me where you are located? The laws regarding lease agreements can vary depending on your location.
Scranton, PA
Under Pennsylvania law, you generally can't back out of a lease once it's signed. But, exceptions may exist:
- Lease includes an option to rescind within a certain period.
- Fraud or misrepresentation was involved.
- Lease terms violate Pennsylvania law.
Consider consulting with a local attorney.
I am a student and the lease doesn’t start until August *
Hi Devon, are you looking to cancel the lease before it starts or are you interested in understanding the consequences if you leave after it has started?
Cancel the lease before it has started
In Pennsylvania, a lease generally can't be cancelled once signed. However:
- Check if there's a cooling-off period in your lease.
- If the landlord misrepresented the property, you may have a case.
- If the lease violates Pennsylvania law, it might be void.

Consult a local attorney for personalized advice.