Thread: Help with Rental Laws

Hi all, I am in a bit of a situation with my landlord and I am considering moving out of my place, however I still have about 8 months on my lease and I do not want to loose my security deposit. I was told that the laws in Panama are very favorable to the rentee (not the landlord). Does anyone know if I can get out of my lease and not loose my deposit? Any resources will be helpful if you know the link (doesn't matter if they are in Spanish). Thanks.

Is your landlord a Panamanian?

Your contract is for 1 year? If it is -- The odds of you getting your deposit back are low. The key is to have a good relationship with him and him basically not caring about the contract.

Give him a notice, written in Spanish about your complaints. Have it notarized. Then stop paying him. Change the locks.

Thanks guys. Yes, she is Panamanian, but lives and spends most of her time in Texas. I have heard you only need to give 30 days notice to void the lease. Is that true?

What is the situation you are in exactly? Is the place not being properly maintained?

You will not be able to void the lease, but you will at any time after the first year if she doesn't make up a new lease.

On the flip side, AS A LANDLORD myself. How do I make sure people do not walk out of my lease?

It is very difficult to get rid of a tenant in Panama - even if they don't pay the rent. To evict, 180 days notice is given, etc. The situation was so onerous on the landlord, I gave up the idea. Contact a real estate lawyer. The deck is stacked in your favor. The Retirement Detectives