I need to get out of a lease early? What can I do?

Question

I need to get out of a lease early? What can I do?

Answer 1

Read your lease contract and see if there are any clauses that allow you to cancel the contract.

If there isn't one, then you are screwed and can't get out of the obligation other than possibly buying your way out (paying the remaining months in the lease rent up front).

Answer 2

Rule of thumb:  What you consider to be an emergency, is most likely not going to be considered one by your landlord. Common excuses such as:

1.  I lost my job and have to move.

2.  I need to relocate!

3.  I just got married.

4.  I have medical bills.

5.  I can't afford the rent anymore.

6.  I can't stand my roommate and need to move!

NONE of these are the landlord's problem

If you don't have a clause to break your lease...that means there isn't one, and if you need to move, you can, you just have to pay the rent while you are gone until the lease ends.

Answer 3

Check your lease for any verbage which indicates the possible monetary penalty for early termination.  If there is none, you can only negotiate with the landlord to the best of your ability.  Meanwhile, you will owe the rents (plus costs of finding a new tenant) to the landlord until the premises are re-rented.

Leases are always binding upon BOTH parties.  It works well when it protects the tenant, but it also works well for the landlord when such situations arise.