Moving Out Before Your Lease is Up
by: Developed from materials provided by the UW Students' Attorney Office
Things to Think About
If you need to move out before your lease is over, think about these things. . .
You May Have to Pay Extra Rent
- You may have to pay all the rent you would have paid if you had stayed.
For instance, say you have a year's lease. Your year ends on December 31st. You move out on September 30th. You may have to pay your landlord October, November, and December's rent.
This is because you made a contract (also called an agreement) with your landlord. Under a contract, both you and your landlord must do what you said you were going to do.
Your Landlord Has to Find a New Tenant
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If you move out early, the landlord has to find a new renter as soon as he can.
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As soon as the new renter moves in, you don't have to pay any more rent.
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Your landlord must make an active, honest effort to find a new renter. He cannot refuse to rent the apartment just because he doesn't feel like it.
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You should give your landlord as much notice as you can before you move. That will give him a head start on finding a new renter.
Return of Your Deposit
- Even if you move out early, your landlord still has to return your deposit.
- He doesn't have to return it if your lease says he doesn't.
- He doesn't have to return it if you have damaged the home.
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