[ad_1] The post How to Get Out of a Lease appeared first on Millennial Money. Signing a lease on a rental property can be a lot of pressure—especially if you’re new to a particular city and don’t know the people you’ll be living with. Regardless, this is a standard lease agreement for renters who are going to be new tenants. Getting an apartment requires putting your name on a contract, surrendering a down payment, and forming an obligation to make good on monthly payments until the lease expires. Depending on the terms of your lease, this might be three months, six months, a year, or even multiple years. Unfortunately, rental agreements don’t always go the way we plan. That being the case, it’s important to know what to do if you need to leave the lease agreement early. Keep reading to learn when and how you should get out of a lease. or, skip straight to the section on how to get out of a lease. When to Break a Lease on a Rental Property Here are some common reasons to break a lease on a rental property. Getting a new job in another city You may live in Massachusetts, get a job in California, and need to relocate immediately. When this happens, you may not have time to ride out a lease or even go through the hassle of finding someone else to take over. Talk to your landlord and explain the situation. Getting a new job elsewhere is a legitimate reason to break a lease, and a reasonable individual should be able to work with you to resolve the situation amicably. Nightmare roommates There are countless horror stories of people who sign leases with strangers they meet on Craigslist who turn out to be monsters. The first rule when living with strangers is to research them… thoroughly. Do a background check if possible or ask for references for security purposes. You should also trust your gut. If you get the sense you may clash with an individual or if you feel unsafe around them, walk away before signing the lease. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks or months for someone to show their true colors. When this happens, don’t hesitate—get out! One option could be to approach the landlord and explain the situation. The landlord may be able to arrange a meeting with your roommate to resolve the conflict. You may also suggest a roommate clause in your contract. Run the contract by an attorney and ask to add a stipulation allowing you to exit early if your roommate doesn’t meet certain conditions like cleanliness, safety, or behavior. The place isn’t habitable There are some things that can go awry after signing a lease that can make a place unlivable. The heat might break, and the landlord may ask the tenant to fix it. Or, a pipe or toilet might burst, flooding the house or creating a toxic situation. Pests like rats or rodents can also become a problem. If something happens to make a place unlivable, ask the landlord to intervene and document your conversation. If the landlord refuses to intervene, you can contact your local board of health to get involved to inspect the place for safety code violations. When that happens, the board of health will come and inspect the property. It’s possible they may condemn the property if it’s uninhabitable. Loss of income If you lose your job, you may not be able to make rent anymore. Your first step should be to talk to your landlord and inform them of the situation. The sooner you talk to them, the better. After all, you don’t want to lose your job and wait until rent is due before reaching out. That’s problematic, to say the least. The landlord may have a plan in place to help tenants like you. You might be able to defer rent or pay partial rent until you find new work or unemployment kicks in. Another option is to use your security deposit to cover yourself, buying time to get back on your feet. If you get to a point where you can’t find new work and can’t afford rent, then you may have to break the lease. Inquire about subleasing to avoid facing any penalties. Domestic violence If you are a victim of domestic violence, get out first and ask questions later. Consult an attorney and try to reach an understanding with the landlord. You might also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for assistance. Under no circumstances should someone stay in an abusive situation out of fear of breaking a lease. Period, end of argument. How to Get Out of a Lease If you’re a tenant looking to move out before the end of your lease because someone in the neighborhood harasses you, there are health and safety issues, or you’re activated for military service (among other legal reasons), here’s what you have to keep in mind to get out of a lease. Read the terms and conditions Be prepared to pay Try to find a subletter Talk with the landlord Get legal advice if necessary Do a walkthrough before leaving Settle 1. Read the terms and conditions The first thing to do when breaking a lease is to scour the original paperwork you signed. The lease should outline exactly what you’re responsible for paying… and what you can expect to get back from your initial deposit. Look for an early termination clause. It’s also a good idea to check state laws and local landlord-tenant laws so you’re informed of your rights before approaching your landlord. 2. Be prepared to pay The bad news is that—unless you can find a replacement tenant—you’ll most likely have to compensate the landlord if you try to get out of a lease early. The landlord could demand some sort of financial compensation for breaking the lease. Depending on how nice your landlord is, you could either end up having to