Breaking a lease?

[Michele]

I want to break my lease so I can buy a house. I figure it's worth a shot to just ask my landlord to let me out of it. I'm not sure how I should word it, thoigh. Any suggestions?

[Deebs]

No, but holy cow - this is awesome, awesome news! Have you found something?

[MsSassyBaskets]

Definitely worth a shot! If your landlord is nice it's totally possible - especially if he or you can get a new renter lined up. Good luck!

[diggitydot]

Doesn't hurt to ask. I'd begin talking with the landlord and see how that shakes out.

[Pollyanna]

Definitely worth a shot! If your landlord is nice it's totally possible - especially if he or you can get a new renter lined up. Good luck!

Yes. You could offer to pay for the advertising to get a new renter as well as the cleaning once you move out.

[diggitydot]

You might also want to double check your lease. We've had some that listed buying a house as a valid reason for breaking the lease, but validation was expected.

[Michele]

We are going to start looking in April. It's going to be my crew and my parents. With how much time we spend at my parents house, it doesn't make sense for us to keep separate spaces. My mom has been cooking dinner for us even on days she doesn't watch my kids...and on the off chance I meet someone and want to get married or move, we will just sell the house or I'll refinance and buy them out.

I'll definitely help him re-rent it however I can. Though I'm dreading packing again...

[MrsK]

Doesn't hurt to ask. It may upset your LL if they are worried about getting another tenant so I'd assure them that you will show the place, clean it, help them find a tenant, and you'll pay rent until a new tenant is found. A while back, I had a tenant break her lease. She lost her job and wanted to move to another city. She asked me if she could leave with 60 days' notice. I told her she could go but needed to pay rent until a tenant was found (which was her obligation under the lease). She helped show the place and we found a tenant within 30 days. He moved in less than 24 hours after she moved out. I deducted the broker's commission from her deposit, which she expected. Otherwise, it was totally stress free.

I've got the opposite problem now. I want to list my place for sale this spring but I have no idea how to approach the tenant about breaking the lease before the end of the lease term this fall.

[Urowife]

We just had this happen with our current tenants. They are paying the advertising and lease fee with our management company and also paying rent until we find new tenants. Good luck with the house hunt!

[Urowife]

I've got the opposite problem now. I want to list my place for sale this spring but I have no idea how to approach the tenant about breaking the lease before the end of the lease term this fall.

MrsK - can you break a lease as a landlord? I was under the impression that you really can't. You could sell the house, but the new owners would have to let the tenant ride out their current lease? Interested to know since we might sell our place at some point. (Sorry for the hijack!)

[MrsK]

Technically, neither party can break the lease. But, everything can be negotiated for a price. Generally, these things can be worked out. If the tenant does not want to leave early, I can attempt to sell it subject to the lease.

[ides]

It depends on the lease. I've seen leases that say that the landlord can sell the house at anytime and if so the renter has 90 days to vacate.

They vary much more widely than you would expect. So, read it first and know what's legally expected of you before you start talking/asking/offering, etc.