How To Break Your Apartment Lease

You crossed your t's and dotted your i's. You just signed yourself into a year-long apartment lease, but a few short months later something's come up. Maybe you had a sudden career change and need to move, or a surprise visit from the stork leaves you needing more space. Or maybe the apartment just isn't what you expected. Whatever your reason for wanting to end your lease early, how you approach the situation will make all the difference in determining whether you get out of it or not.

Understanding Your Apartment Lease

First things first, an apartment lease is binding. You've signed a legal document that's contracted you into a set commitment whether you like it or not. You have an obligation to abide by the contract or face its penalties. Worst case scenario, you'll be forced to pay the remaining months' rent. However, all contracts can be revised or broken if both parties can come to an agreement. Time to put on your big boy pants and negotiate your way out of this lease like an adult.

Talk To Your Landlord

When breaking your rental agreement, open communication with your landlord is your first step toward breaking your lease. Landlords are simply trying to run a business and losing money is their main concern. Most will have no problem letting you break the rental lease if you give them enough time to find a replacement tenant. As soon as you know your move out time period, bite the bullet and call up your landlord to let them know why you're moving and when you plan to move out. Dependant on your lease, you might loose your last months' rent or security deposit, but most good landlords will work with you.

Work With Your Landlord

Take responsibility for breaking the lease and help your landlord the most you can. Landlord's are required under law to mitigate damages by making attempts to rerent your apartment if you decide to break your lease. The key here is to stay in their good graces. Offer to show the apartment or assist in finding a replacement tenant. Remain flexible and they'll be more grateful to you.

Find Loopholes and Miscomings

We're not all fortunate enough to have good landlords and if worst comes to worst you might have to play a little dirty. Read and reread your contract looking for loopholes. Typos, vague wording, and missing break lease agreements are all grounds for finding lease holes.

Another way to beat out a bad landlord is to look around your apartment. Is there damage they've failed to fix? Have rodents taken over and they've done nothing to get rid of the vermin? If your apartment have become uninhabitable through no fault of your own, then you can usually break your lease without penalty.

Put It In Writing

After speaking with your landlord put everything in writing. Not only does this help formalize the break, but leaves a paper trail as evidence that you are taking all steps required.

Seek Legal Advise

If all else fails, you may want to consider seeking legal advice. If you feel you've done everything in your power to help your landlord make a smoother transition, but they're still not playing ball than speak with a lawyer. You can also file a suit in small claims court.

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Getting out of a lease can sometimes be rough, but worth it to move into a new place you love. If you're in the Phoenix area and have recently broken your lease - or simply in need of a Phoenix moving company - then call the movers at Bulwark Moving. Call 602-454-2267 or visit www.bulwarkmoving.com for a free quote.

The 5 Most Awesome & Free Things To Do In Phoenix

As the most populous state capital in the United States, Phoenix is anything but short on things to do. But what if you're running short on cash? Not a problem. There are MANY things to do in Phoenix for free. These are some of our favorites.

1. Birds 'N Beer

Fly with the birds while drinking with the fishes. On the third Thursday of every month, the Rio Salado Audubon Society hosts a Bird 'N Beer series from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Each month features a different topic and a cold brew from Four Peaks Brewery. Visit the Audobon Website for more info.

2. Go Hiking

Get out of the gym and get a nice dose of vitamin D on your next workout. Phoenix is surrounded by miles upon miles of hiking trails for all ages and abilities. Go for a stroll along a flat desert hike or makes gains in elevation to take in Phoenix from one of its mountains. Check out Every Trail to find a trail to suit you.

3. Take in Some Free Art at the Museums

Many of the museums in Phoenix offer free admission or complimentary access on particular days.

• Free Admission:
• ASU Art Museum
• ASU Museum of Anthropology
• Phoenix Airport Museum
• Arizona Capitol Museum
• Shermer Art Museum
• Complimentary Admission Hours:
• The Phoenix Art Museum: Wed. 3pm - 9pm, Fri. 6pm - 10pm
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art: Thursdays
• Phoenix Children's Museum: First Friday of the month 5pm - 9pm

4. Fridays in the Park

On the second and fourth Friday of every month, the City of Phoenix goes all out at Civic Space Park. From 6pm - 10pm, you'll find a changing mix of concerts, movies, food vendors, exhibits and games brought together by the Downtown Partnership. See what's planned for the next Friday in the Park on their Facebook Page.

5. Watch a Flamenco Performance

Local Phoenix dance trio Flamenco Por La Vida are bringing a bit of Espana to Phoenix. Angelina Ramierez, Olivia Rojas and Carlos Montufar share their love of flamenco with the public every Wednesday from 7pm - 9pm at Otro Cafe and Saturdays from 6pm - 8pm at Crescent Ballroom. Watch beauty unfold in traditional Spanish style as they dance, sing and play into the night. Visit the Flamenco Por La Vida Website for more information.

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Does life in Phoenix sound tempting? No need to miss out on all the fun! Call the team at Bulwark Moving and join in on the adventure!

The Pros and Cons of Roommates

Some days you love 'em, other days you hate 'em. We're talking about those people you share your space with - roommates. While you enjoy their company and someone to talk to, this may not always be the case, especially if you two don't get along. If you're looking for a new place and deciding whether to live alone or not, then let's weigh the pro and cons before making a decision.

Roommate Pro: More Bang For Your Buck

Let's face it, the biggest upside of living with a roommate is having someone to split rent and bills with. Additionally, two incomes makes it more affordable to buy more space and possibly some nice upgrades.

Roommate Con: Marking Your Territory

Having a roommate almost ensures you will never see true peace. You two are different people with different habits. And sometimes getting use to each others habits comes with its share of passive aggressive turmoil. Maybe they leave dishes in the sink or put theirs shoes on the couch. Common areas are shared, so whos furniture arrangement will reign superior? And who gets the apartment's single parking spot? It's always the little nuances that cause more damage than the big ones. The best solution is to establish the little details as soon as they come up to avoid a huge blow out later.

Roommate Pro: Built-in Friend Unit

A roommate automatically gives you someone to hang out with. Living alone can be, well, lonely. Having roommates means there's always someone to talk to and someone to go do things with. And after a long work week, it's nice to have someone to go home to who will go with you to happy hour and let you vent.

Roommate Con: Built-in Pain In The...

Rooming with the right person can be pure bliss, but room with the wrong person and your life can quickly turn into a living nightmare. There's The Recluse, The Party Pooper, The Wild Child, The OCD Clean-Freak, The One Who Doesn't Clean At All, The Significant Other Included, The Bum - and the list goes on. Knowing your preferred style of living and what you will and won't put up with before choosing your roommate can make all the difference. And once a line is crossed, don't be scared to speak up.

So what about you? What are your roommate stories - both good and horror? And if you're in Phoenix and about to move, solo or otherwise, give Bulwark Moving a call. We'll help you move that good roommate in and that bad roommate out.