residential-lease lease breaking-the-lease
Lease signed before I’m fully approved, do I have a case to get out of the lease?
<p>I signed a lease a few months ago and someone from the apartment signed it as well. The move in day is in august.  Now, they are saying that my lease is not “fully approved” and I can’t move in until I send in my proof of income. By saying I can’t move in, I feel as if they aren’t fulfilling their obligations of the signed lease. I would like to get out of the lease and I am wondering if it will be easier to do since at this point I am not fully approved.</p>

<p>A lease is a contract. A contract becomes binding once there is an offer and acceptance. Sometimes something smells like an offer, but it is really an &quot;invitation to treat&quot;, a sign that they are willing to negotiate. The clear sign that they did not make an offer (as required for there to be a contract) is that they do not consider themselves bound the minute you accept. The language of the document would include some provision like &quot;subject to approval of the application&quot;.</p>
<p>It is possible that you have &quot;made an offer&quot;, which they can accept thereby completing the offer-and-accept cycle, but until you do, you can revoke your offer, if you really want out. You do have to clearly and quickly communicate the revocation.</p>
