As a tenant, there are many reasons why you might choose to terminate your lease before the legally agreed upon date. Whatever the reason, you have to inform your landlord of your intent by writing an early lease termination letter. This, however, isn’t a guarantee that your landlord will grant you a release unless you have a very good reason for it, but you still need to write on to put forward your case formally.
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Early Lease Termination Letters
What to include in the letter?
It is important for you to issue a notice to your landlord that you base on your original lease agreement if you decide to end your lease prematurely. One way to avoid penalties on this decision is to find a replacement tenant.
It is also as important to stick with the terms and conditions of your agreement. When writing an early lease termination letter, make it straight to the point and professional. The first sentence must already inform your landlord of your plan to vacate early. The following are the details to include in the lease termination letter:
- The date when you wrote the letter.
- The date when you plan to leave.
- Your reason/s for terminating your lease early.
- The address where you plan to relocate to.
- Your name and signature.
Early Termination Of Lease Agreements
How do I write an early termination letter for a lease?
All early lease termination letters include the same basic elements. Therefore, if you plan to write one, you have to learn all about these elements. Here are the elements to include in commercial residential leases:
- The landlord’s identity
As the tenant, you are the other half of the lease agreement. Therefore, you also have to state your complete name in your lease termination letter to landlord. Without these details, your letter will get declared as invalid should legal professionals review it. - The details of your original lease agreement
Include the details found in your rental agreement in your letter. These details include the name of the agreement, its start date, and the end date. If you think that you need to include other details from the rent agreement to support your letter, include these too. - The date when you plan to leave the rented property
Specify in your letter the date when you intend to leave. Doing this provides your landlord with a chance to set realistic expectations in terms of the negotiations that still have to take place between you and your landlord. - Inform your landlord of your forwarding address
It’s important to mention this crucial detail in your letter. This address provides your landlord with details as to where they can send any future notices or security deposits. - The reason/s why you want to terminate your lease agreement
The final element that you should add in your letter is your reason/s for termination. Among all of these elements, this may be the most significant one to include since it directly influences whether or not your landlord grants your request for early lease termination or not. Be both specific and direct when stating your reasons for leaving.
Can I break my tenancy agreement early?
Yes, you can break your lease agreement early, although this depends on your relationship with your landlord. If you apply the law to its fullest extent, your landlord has the right to collect rent until the end of your lease, whether or not you will occupy the property.
Therefore, if you want to vacate the property and terminate your lease before its expiry date, it will be in the best interest of both parties to agree on a fair solution. To inform your landlord, compose an early lease termination letter. Then follow these steps:
- Talk to your landlord
A lease represents a financial and legal commitment to pay rent until the end date of the agreement. Should you choose to leave earlier than agreed upon in the contract, the best way to settle this is to present your situation to your landlord. - Negotiate the terms of your early termination
The more notice that you provide to your landlord, the better. Then you can come up with early termination of lease agreement. Notifying your landlord is a matter of courtesy but it also creates an impact on whether your landlord grants your request or not.
In most states, the landlord must make a genuine effort to have the vacated property to get re-rented, before they try to collect rent from you. - Ask your landlord if you can sublet the property
Should your landlord become resistant in permitting you to terminate your lease earlier than agreed upon, you may request that the landlord allow you to find a sub-tenant to take your place.
You can accomplish this by adding an addendum if sub-letting isn’t allowed. This allows you to find someone to live in the property to continue paying the rent. - Ask your landlord for the possibility of a buy-out
Another solution to early lease termination is to seek a buy-out from your landlord. This involves the landlord freeing you of all liabilities for a cash payment that you both agree upon. - Consult with a lawyer
If your landlord doesn’t want to break the lease, another recourse for you is to look up the laws in your state or consult a lawyer. Sometimes, there could be loopholes that may allow you to break your lease early. - Move out of the property
You can move out of the property as soon as you and your landlord have agreed on the terms of terminating your lease. If the agreement makes it possible for you to retain your security deposit, then your landlord must pay within the required return period of your state.
Breaking Lease Letters
Can you break a lease because of neighbors?
Yes, you can – and you can state this as your reason in your early lease termination letter. But you can only do this if your landlord fails to provide you with “Quiet Enjoyment.” This means that if you’re a tenant, it is your right to enjoy the space without the interference of other individuals around you.
This also includes your right not to allow people you don’t want to gain entry to your apartment, the right to a livable and clean apartment, the Right to Peace and Quiet, and the right to access basic services like hot water and heat.
