How can I legally break a lease?

Breaking a lease is not a decision that should be taken lightly, as it could have serious legal consequences. In the District of Columbia, there are two potential legal ways to break a lease. The first legal way to break a lease in the District of Columbia is by giving proper notice. Your lease should specify a notice period—usually 30 or 60 days—that you must provide the landlord if you intend to move out before the end of the lease. In addition to notice, you may also have to pay your landlord an amount equivalent to the rent for the remainder of the lease period. The second way to legally break a lease is through a “lease break” or “early termination” clause. If the lease has this clause, you may be able to terminate the lease by providing written notice to the landlord and paying an early termination fee. The fee should be no more than the cost of two month’s rent and should be outlined in the lease agreement. If either of these two routes are not available to you, you may be in breach of your lease agreement. In this case, the landlord may be able to take legal action against you and seek damages from you for any losses incurred. Therefore, it is important to read and understand your lease agreement and be familiar with the laws governing landlords and tenants in the District of Columbia.

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How can I legally break a lease?

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