How do I get out of my university apartment housing contract?
<p>Due to COVID-19, I have decided not to return to my university in April (which was my original plan.) However, my university-approved apartment complex will not release me from my contractual obligation; they have only offered a discounted rent for the inconvenience.</p>

<p>As a condition of university approval, all apartment complexes are required to ensure their premises are safe. However, based on the latest word from the university's Housing Office, it does not appear that they will be intervening.</p>

<p>I am in Colorado, and my apartment complex is in Idaho. For the uninitiated/unaware, both are under stay-at-home orders that, at the time of this writing, are scheduled to end before April 18th, when I am "expected" to return to university.</p>

<p>My question is, am I still obligated to pay rent, or can I refuse on the basis of the pandemic?</p>

<p><strong>EDIT:</strong> After a review of my last contract with them, I found this section:</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol start="6">
  <li>BREACH OF CONTRACT BY LANDLORD: Landlord may be in breach of Contract for the following reasons: <strong>(A) Landlord fails to maintain
  property according to BYU-Idaho requirements as stated in the Approved
  Housing Guidebook;</strong> (B) Landlord materially misrepresents property on
  website and/or in written information such as e-mails, flyers,
  brochures, etc.; or <strong>(C) Landlord suffers, permits, or maintains any
  nuisance or any health or safety hazard on the premises.</strong> Landlord
  agrees to release Student from this Contract and cover moving costs.</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, you are still obligated by your contract. In general, the existing states of emergency do not cancel contracts or suspend portions of contracts. In some states, eviction proceedings are on hold, and that is as far as overriding contracts goes. </p>

residential-lease covid-19