What are the legal consequences of a tenant breaking a lease?

The legal consequences of a tenant breaking a lease in California depend heavily on the type of lease agreement. Generally, when a tenant breaks a lease, the landlord is entitled to receive rent until the end of the lease term, or until the unit is re-rented to another tenant, whichever comes first. The landlord may also be entitled to sue for damages above the amount of rent owed. In addition, a tenant who breaks the lease may have to pay an early termination fee or any other costs incurred by the landlord due to the termination, such as advertising or legal fees. The tenant may also be responsible for the cost of damages to the property caused by them or their guests while they were living in the unit. In some cases, a tenant may be able to get out of a lease by claiming breach of contract on the landlord’s part or by proving the unit was uninhabitable. If the tenant is able to prove such claims, they may not be liable for any of the costs incurred due to their breaking of the lease. Furthermore, tenants who break a lease may be reported to the credit bureaus, which may negatively affect their credit score. This could be especially damaging if the tenant is looking to rent another property in the future. If a tenant breaks a lease in California, it is always wise for them to discuss the situation with their landlord in order to prevent any further complications. The tenant should be prepared to negotiate with the landlord and should look into their legal options if negotiations fail.

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What are the legal consequences of a tenant breaking a lease?

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