How can I legally break a lease?

Breaking a lease is not a decision to be taken lightly as it can have legal consequences and can bring about disputes between landlords and tenants. In Washington, legally terminating a lease early is possible through different legal methods, such as subletting and assignment, surrender of the property, the tenant’s military relocation, or through a court-ordered eviction. Subletting or assignment are the terms used when a tenant ceases to rent the property and instead finds another person to take over for the remainder of the lease. The new tenant must be approved by the landlord as either the subletter or assignee, and taking on the new tenant could involve additional fees from the old tenant. Also, if a tenant is unable to pay the rent or vacate the home within a reasonable timeframe, the landlord could bring an eviction suit against the tenant in court. If the tenant loses the case, they must legally vacate the unit, and if they stay, they may face further legal action and fines. Finally, a tenant may choose to surrender the property, allowing the landlord to re-rent the apartment. This option requires the tenant to notify the landlord of their intention to do so and to pay any outstanding rent or fees. Terminating a lease through surrender is not an option in all cases, and the tenant will be responsible for any remaining payments beyond the date of surrender. In any case, it is important to keep in mind that no matter the reason for breaking a lease, the tenant is responsible for any remaining obligations and the landlord could seek repayment for any damages or unpaid rent.

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How can I legally break a lease?

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