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A vacancy is one of the most expensive aspects of the rental industry and it is in a manager\u2019s or owner’s best interest to keep their rental property occupied with qualified tenants. In a perfect scenario, a landlord will secure a long-term lease with a responsible tenant<\/a>, who pays rent on time, takes care of the property, and gives proper notice about vacating the unit when the lease is about the expire.<\/p>\n Lease agreements provide assurance for guaranteed occupancy by a tenant and can range from a month-to-month to a multi-year commitment. \u00a0For tenants that sign a lease, they are contractually obligated to pay rent on the property throughout the entirety of agreement.<\/p>\n Despite this legal commitment, some tenants try to change their housing situation and opt to move out before their lease expires. \u00a0Even if a tenant gives their landlord notice about plans to move, it does not mean they are off the hook for rent payments owed for the rest of the lease term.<\/p>\n In general, a tenant is bound to the length of the rental agreement unless the landlord violates a lease term or legal responsibility or gives the tenant permission to break the lease. \u00a0There are a few federal and state laws that do require a landlord to allow early lease termination for special circumstances, like a transfer for government or military personnel.<\/p>\n Expect for special legal circumstances, it up to the landlord if they would like to allow a tenant to break their lease and vacate the rental property early, without owing future rent. \u00a0Even though you will be forgoing the reliable rental income<\/a> of a leased property, there are some situations where it is easier to let your tenant out of their rental contract early. \u00a0And depending on your state\u2019s laws, landlords can even collect penalty fees or early termination fees from tenants who get approval to break a lease.<\/p>\n When a tenant loses their job (and source of income) it can lead to a strained landlord-tenant relationship. \u00a0If they simply cannot afford their rental payments and do not have any reasonable employment prospects, they suddenly become an unqualified tenant who wouldn\u2019t have passed your screening criteria in the first place. \u00a0Rather than create extra stress for your tenant and yourself it is easier to let them break the lease and move on.<\/p>\n Your tenants do not have control over job transfers, and it is reasonable to encourage job stability of your tenants by working with them to responsibly terminate their lease to accommodate a transfer. \u00a0In some circumstances, landlords must allow tenants to break their lease for a job transfer so make sure to check your local and state laws. \u00a0However, if your tenant is transferring locally, you may question the need to move.<\/p>\n If a couple breaks up, their living situation significantly changes and the effect on joint contributions towards rent payments could make their rental property a serious point of contention in their relationship and with you. \u00a0Rather than get into the middle of the drama\u00a0or serious heartbreak, it can be easiest to work with them to end a\u00a0joint lease.<\/p>\n Your tenants have every right to their privacy, but if they choose to share with you an extraordinary circumstance like a serious illness or death of a tenant or family member and need to move out suddenly this is an instance where you could\u00a0demonstrate some\u00a0compassion to help them out of their rent obligation during a difficult time.<\/p>\nJob Loss<\/h3>\n
Job Transfer<\/h3>\n
Divorce<\/h3>\n
Illness<\/h3>\n
What to do when your tenants ask to break their lease?<\/h3>\n
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