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
If you move out early, the landlord has to find a new renter as soon as he can.
As soon as the new renter moves in, you don't have to pay any more rent.
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.
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.
Last Reviewed On: 04/12/04
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