Breaking a Lease

HOW TO BREAK A LEASE

Introduction

You can break a lease if you're willing to put in the effort and pay a price. Just follow these guidelines and remember--anything is negotiable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Steps

Step One

Read your lease agreement carefully, looking for loopholes or early release policies. Pay special attention to "notice of intention to vacate," "sublease," "sublet" and "relet" provisions.

Step Two

Research your state and local laws and ordinances governing lease agreements. In general, you must pay the rent remaining on the full term of your lease or incur penalties if you end it early. Reasons such as military service, purchasing a home (for dwelling leases), relocation due to medical treatments (also for dwelling leases) and others may be considered valid and excuse you from some or all lease termination payments.

Step Three

Seek legal advice, if necessary, through a private lawyer, your local legal aid society or your area's tenants rights organization.

Step Four

Document your reasons for breaking or terminating your lease. Include relevant letters (for example, military orders, employment transfers or requests for repairs), photos of unresolved repairs (for dwellings), or receipts/estimates of repairs (for vehicles and equipment) to support a lemon-law claim.

Step Five

Determine your desired outcome, and outline your supporting details. One common agreement includes paying one month's rent plus any deposit.

Step Six

Contact the owner of the property you are leasing. Inform the owner of the reason(s) you wish to terminate your lease and any offer you are willing to make. Start with your dream settlement, then negotiate from there to your bottom-line position.

Step Seven

Get any changes in writing; avoid oral agreements, which are difficult to prove and enforce. Leases can be altered, but any modifications to the contract must be signed by both parties.

Step Eight

Prepare for the negative consequences: payment to the owner, legal action, or a hit to your credit report if you walk away from the lease.


TIPS AND WARNINGS

• Base your desire to break a lease on necessity rather than whim or preference.
• Avoid arguing with or alienating the owner of the property. Approach the lease as "a problem we can solve together."
• If a lease is broken by one party, it's breakable by the other. This particularly applies to repairs or other owner responsibilities included in the lease.

For more information see...

How to Break a Lease
How to Break an Apartment Lease
How to Buy Out a Car Lease
How to Get Out of a Car Lease
How to Change the Terms of a Lease

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