In Texas most large apartment complexes use a method to adjust the monthly amount of rent called 'market rate.' They say the apartment could rent for example 1700 per month but they will let you rent it for 1200. If you move out early, you are then responsible to pay the difference for every month of the lease. For example if you have a 12 month lease and moved out after 2 months you would owe $500 x 10 months or $5000 dollars. This is in addition to a 60 day notice fee, a relating fee and payback on specials. I just moved to Texas and most apartment complexes have this policy so as a consumer I am really stuck if I have to relocate.in my case it ended up costing $17,724.25. This is a predatory practice perpetrated on most tenants in Texas and this practice must stop. Market Value should be what the market will pay not what the market at the height of the economy 3 years ago dictates. Yes I did sign the lease - I should not have but it appears most Texas apartment complexes use this practice so the options not to pick these apartments are minimized. Why is this practice allowed? In the end we just stayed in the apartment because it was cheaper to pay the rent even though we will not use the apartment then it would be to pay for the break in the lease. No one wins. I have lived in many states and I have never seen this practice before. Texas is an apartment rip off. Buyer beware.
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