Whatever your reason may be for needing to or considering ending your valid apartment lease agreement, it’s something that you should handle with care. There are definitely reasons that justify you ending your lease, however, your landlord may not be happy with the request or easily willing to terminate the agreement.

If you find yourself in a situation that requires you potentially ending your lease, we have some guidance below on how to break an apartment lease agreement. When you end your lease correctly you have a chance of avoiding a chunk of negative consequences and leave on good terms.

Review Your Lease

Your lease is a legally binding agreement between you and the property owner; therefore, any time you are considering ending a lease earlier than the terms you agreed on it’s imperative that you know the ins and outs of your lease agreement. Familiarize yourself with any steps listed on breaking the lease early, if there are any penalties and fees associated with ending your lease, and what action is required of you as the tenant in order to properly initiate and complete the process. Being in the know with your lease will definitely help you navigate this process more easily.

Is Your Rental Maintained Properly?

What is the reason you are considering an early termination of your lease? If it has to do with the maintenance of your leased property by your landlord, you need to know your rights. Your landlord has certain legal obligations to provide safe, clean and habitable living arrangements. Consider the following if you feel your rental is not being cared for properly:

• While you may be responsible for paying utility bills, your landlord is obligated to endure you have access to running water, electricity and gas. Is this the case?
• Are repairs you have requested being completed within a timely manner? Are there neglected repairs, or any that are presenting a safety hazard?
• Are the areas surrounding and within your complex clean, if you are in an apartment?
• Do you have access to waste bins for disposal of trash?
• In regards to local safety and health codes, is your landlord adhering to these?

If you feel your landlord is in violation of any of these, you should see outside legal counsel before proceeding with anything to make sure it is handled properly.

Review The Early Termination Portion Of Your Lease

In most cases, the termination of a lease agreement will be subject to penalties and fees; these fees should be clearly laid out in your lease. Be sure that you have the capability, or are willing, to pay if you so choose to end your lease early.

Think Of What You Can Offer Your Landlord

If you are hoping for a smooth closing of your lease, and possibly even hoping to avoid any additional fees, think of what you can do to make the process easier for your landlord. Can you help your landlord find a new renter, for instance? Maybe you’d be willing to waive a refund of your deposit? Or, they may be interested in your offer to repaint the apartment yourself and steam clean the carpets. Remember, with your early termination, there’s a chance your landlord could lose out on money, so you want to make the agreement ending as enticing and easy as possible for them.

Is Your Situation A Special Circumstance?

You may be legally eligible to terminate your lease without any penalties if you are actively in the military and receive new orders requiring you to relocate. Also, your state may have laws in place for victims of abuse that constitute the victim being able to break a lease and leave a potentially dangerous or harmful situation without penalty.