Can you break a lease???

[Beach Mama]

As title says - is it possible to end a lease prior to the fixed term - say 6mths for e.g.?? What costs are involved?

[Phteven]

Usually you will have to pay rent until they can re-tenant the place.

[chody47]

Usually you will have to pay rent until they can re-tenant the place.

Yep, that's what we had to do once. Luckily for us there was someone else who wanted the place the first day it was advertised.

[Beach Mama]

Bugger thought as much - fanks kids! xoxo

[LionsandBears]

You also pay for advertising for a new tenant. I've broken a lease twice. The first time, I paid for the advertising directly, showed people through, and because I felt guilty, raised the rent. I was probably out of pocket for about 2 weeks rent plus advertising. Second time was probably the same, except the agent did the advertising and we paid for it.

[Beach Mama]

So all up you were out of pocket 2 weeks rent plus advertising - how much was the advertising hun? Would it be reasonable to think we would be out of pocket around 4 weeks rent and then whatever until they get new tenants? Problem is I doubt they will GET new tenants Thinking it's all too hard, I won't say "I told you so" to Dh but seriously I hate this house we got - he knows it and convinced me it's ok and then today goes - so can we break the lease - realised it is horrible too. Ugh - why didn't we sign up for 3 mths?

[LionsandBears]

Advertising was about $150 in 2009.

there was also the removal fees, but you'll pay those whenever you move. Is this something you can suck up for another X months or is the pain not worth it? How long have you been there? If you don't think they'll get new tenants then it may be worth advertising yourself. Or just staying.

We have also moved into a house where the previous tenant broke the lease. They were paying higher rent and they had to keep paying the difference until the end of the lease.

if the house isn't fit for human habitation,you could go through the tenancy board to break the lease.

[LimeSlice]

The conditions of breaking the lease are all laid out in your lease agreement that you signed, and they should have supplied a copy to you.

[Beach Mama]

It's just old and horrible but I guess it's fit - we haven't even fully moved in yet - it's in seachange town that we are moving to and all our stuff is down there and it's cheap which is a good thing seeing as neither of us have jobs. We just had trouble finding something so took this one and of course since we took it about 3 more have come up that would work much better I think we should just suck it up but DH might call the agent and being such a small town will see what they say. Thanks hun.