Will a new job in a different town get you out of your rental lease in Oklahoma? And how do we do it?

Question

We were told we could not break our lease. We are moving because I was offered a better job in a different town. We are giving 30 days written notice and clean the carpets and appartment. They are telling us we have to pay an additional large sum to get out of our lease.

Answer 1

They're correct.  You signed a legally binding contract for the premises for a specified period of time.  You are expected to honor the agreement.  It's not THEIR fault that you found a different job elsewhere.

Answer 2

A lease is a valid binding contract between two parties.  There is no standard "way out" for this.  Only if both parties agree to end the contract is it allowed to legally be broken.  Occasionally the way out is written in the lease.  If it is not and the landlord wants a certain amount of money to let you out then tha tis most likely what you will need to do to legally end the contract.  Just make sure that if you do pay the money you get the cancellation from the landlord in writing.

Answer 3

A break lease fee is usually 2 months rent and you lose your deposit.  Or, depending on how long you have left on the lease, then you could be responsible for the remainder of the lease.  However, if the job is more than 100 miles away (round trip), then usually the landlord will let you out of the lease with the break lease fee.  If its under 100 miles, then no, its not a reason to break the lease and the landlord can hold you to it, even in todays gas crunch. I used to drive 2 hrs one way to get to work.  Its not unheard of.

Answer 4

That's how it goes... sorry.

Typically you won't be obligated to pay no more than 3 months rent. Judge's (if went to court) find that 3 months is ample time for the landlord to find a new tenant.

good luck.