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

In Delaware, if a tenant breaks their lease, they are subject to legal consequences. This means that the tenant is responsible for all remaining rent owed on the lease, as well as any damages caused by early termination of the lease. The landlord may also seek legal action against the tenant if the tenant does not pay the full amount due upon termination of the lease. In addition to paying the rent owed, the tenant may also be responsible for fees associated with the termination of the lease, such as advertising and leasing costs to find a new tenant. These costs can be substantial and vary depending on the length of the lease. The tenant may also be subject to penalties for breaking their lease. These penalties can include a monetary fine, or the loss of security deposits. Depending on the lease agreement, the tenant may be responsible for the costs of re-letting the rental unit, and any damages done to the premises. Finally, the tenant’s credit report may be affected by breaking their lease. A landlord may report the tenant’s failure to fulfill their contractual obligations to a credit agency. This could negatively affect the tenant’s credit score, making it more difficult to secure future housing. Before breaking a lease, tenants should make sure that they understand the legal consequences, and how breaking their lease could affect their credit score and ability to secure future housing.

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