Location: Ohio. I recently got a new job in a city about 2 hours away. I used pretty much all of my savings to get a new apartment. I’ve only lived here for 4 weeks and it’s already a nightmare. I rushed getting the place and that’s on me, I should’ve done my research. The unit is a complete piece of shit. There’s chipping/cracking/peeling (probably lead) paint everywhere. Including the bathtub and shower tiles which sloughs off the wall with every shower. The toilet runs for 15+ mins after flushing, waste barely goes down, and comes back up regularly. None of the sinks drain. Not a single door or closet door actually shuts due to the paint buildup. The biggest problem is cockroaches. There are massive American cockroaches and their droppings all over the unit. I’ve already found 4 so far. The landlord claims they have a pest guy that comes weekly but my security system has never picked up my door opening when I’m gone at work.
I’ve read my lease over and over and there is no section about terminating the lease early. I did some research on the mgmt company and they have multiple class action lawsuits open right now. There is a FB group dedicated to tenants complaining. 2 years ago one of their buildings had an old boiler with a gas leak and a woman died as well as two babies were injured. They are notorious for garnishing people’s wages and suing you for not paying rent or breaking your lease.
I have no idea what my options are. I’m 25, working full time and doing everything on my own. I don’t have $11,000 to pay off my entire lease. I know I could always try to escrow my rent, but I don’t think the roach issue is fixable. But it’s taking a serious toll on my mental health. I have anxiety/panic attacks daily. I don’t even sleep here anymore because I can’t sleep with the lights off. I go to my friends or family just to get a good night’s sleep.
What do I do? do I even have any rights in this situation? What if they don’t let me out of my lease? TIA