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

In New Hampshire, a tenant is legally bound to abide by the terms of their lease agreement. If a tenant breaks their lease, they will be held liable for the breach of contract and will be required to pay compensatory damages. This includes any rent owed, additional legal fees, and other damages incurred by the landlord due to the breach of contract. State law also allows the landlord to pursue legal action against the tenant for the breach of contract. Depending on the severity of the breach, a landlord may be able to sue the tenant for the full amount of rent owed, as well as any legal fees incurred by the landlord. If the tenant has already moved out of the rental property, a landlord may also be able to sue for damages caused by the tenant while they resided in the property, such as damage to the property or unpaid utilities. In addition to monetary damages, a tenant breaking their lease may face other legal consequences. The tenant’s landlord could terminate their lease and require them to vacate the premises immediately. They could also be responsible for paying the remainder of their lease, regardless of the amount of time remaining. The tenant could further be held liable for legal action taken by the landlord, such as filing a summons and complaint with the court. Overall, it is important for tenants to abide by their lease agreement and any applicable state laws to avoid any legal consequences. Breaking a lease can be a costly and time consuming process, so it is wise to review the terms and conditions of a lease prior to signing and abide by the agreement.

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

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