What do I need to know about breaking a lease?

Answer by  patti (29325)

Review the lease regarding termination. There may be certain circumstances that allow you to break the lease. The lease will also spell out the penalties for termination. A lease is a contract. If your property is uninhabitable, you may be able to break the lease by citing the failure of the landlord to uphold his end of the deal.

Answer by  bri11 (171)

If you are considering breaking a lease, you need to have some sort of good cause in the form of a material violation of the terms of the lease by the landlord or you should expect to be responsible for some or all of the remaining rent due for the lease term.

Answer by  Krissie (551)

It depends on why you're breaking it, and what your lease says about notice. If you're leaving on short notice, you may be liable to pay some amount of rent to your landlord, or be obligated to help find a new tenant to take over your lease agreement.

Answer by  Maria99 (108)

Generally you are liable for the rent for the remainder of the lease, or until the property is rented out again. Whichever is soonest. However, the landlord has no incentive to rent it out, especially if they have more units vacant. An alternative is for you to sublet the property.

Answer by  tedros (211)

The best thing to do is to negotiate with the landlord. I have terminated housing leases a few times and have never had trouble. Be considerate of the landlord. Give him or her enough time to find a new tenant. It is especially helpful if you can find a replacement renter.

Answer by  Ron27 (465)

You can only legally break a lease under one of three circumstances: mutual agreement with the other party (can be negotiated for payment), assignment to a new tenant who will take over for the remainder of the lease term, or if the other party breaches the lease, then the non-breaching party can get out of the contract.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

If you break a lease and not due to the property being impossible or dangerous to live in (such as due to gas leak, or the house burned down), then you will be liable for fees and penalties. You will lose your deposit. You may be liable for the remaining rent unless a new tenant is found.

Answer by  SandyG (807)

If you mean an apartment lease, first read all the papers you got & signed. You may lose your deposit. You may also be responsible for paying the rent for the entire lease period, or until the landlord can find someone else to rent it.

Answer by  linsm (898)

You need to read and understand your lease. If you can prove cause, then that is another issue. You may have to prove to a judge that your landlord broke the lease by not honoring his responsibilities as a landlord such as property maintenance (e.g., show your invoice for paying a plumber to fix something in your apartment).