How to Write an Early Lease Termination Letter (with Samples)
Use these sample early lease termination letters as templates for your formal termination letter.
Last updated on June 23th, 2023
There are many reasons why someone may want to break their lease early. They may be required to move to another city for a new job, they may be getting a divorce and need a new home, or they may have received a raise and can afford a better place.
Early Lease Termination Letter Samples:
Whatever the reason, they should look at their contract to find out if there are any conditions that pertain to breaking a lease early before they send an early lease termination letter. There are also state Landlord Tenant laws that will govern the situation if the laws differ from what’s in the contract. These laws can be found online.
Early Lease Termination Letter Samples:
- Early Lease Termination Letter Due to Job Relocation
- Early Lease Termination Letter Due to Divorce
Whatever the reason, they should look at their contract to find out if there are any conditions that pertain to breaking a lease early before they send an early lease termination letter. There are also state Landlord Tenant laws that will govern the situation if the laws differ from what’s in the contract. These laws can be found online.
It is important to give the landlord notice that the tenant plans to vacate the property, so he or she will have enough time to find another tenant. Thirty days are considered enough advance time, but the contract may stipulate a different time. It is also important to follow the conditions of the contract, otherwise the landlord could take the tenant to court.
Be Clear and Concise
The letter should be clear, concise and to the point. This is not the place to complain about the upkeep of the house or beat around the bush. It should state in the first sentence that the tenant plans to terminate their lease early. Any added points can cause confusion and lead to a wrong interpretation of the letter by the landlord.
Some of the points the landlord will look for in the letter are:
Be Clear and Concise
The letter should be clear, concise and to the point. This is not the place to complain about the upkeep of the house or beat around the bush. It should state in the first sentence that the tenant plans to terminate their lease early. Any added points can cause confusion and lead to a wrong interpretation of the letter by the landlord.
Some of the points the landlord will look for in the letter are:
- The date the letter was written
- The date the tenant will vacate the property
- The circumstances that caused the lease to be being broken early
- The tenant’s forwarding address
- The address of the property being vacated in the event the landlord has several rental properties
Security Deposit
It is important that the letter contain a forwarding address even if it is not the tenant’s new residence. Landlords typically have 30 days to return a security deposit, so they will need a new address for the tenant.
The tenant may allow the landlord to show the property to prospective new tenants, and give a time when this would be possible. In any case, the landlord needs to know when the property will be vacant, so they can bring new tenants as soon as possible. Their finances may depend on the property being rented.
The tenant should request the landlord to walk through the house or apartment to see if there is any damage. Ideally, the tenant will have photographs of any previous damage when they first moved in, so they are not charged for damage caused by others.
Expensive to Terminate a Lease Early?
In many cases, it can be very difficult and expensive to terminate a lease early. Sometimes, landlords request liquidation damages that are excessive. Most courts frown on these clauses. If the landlord is not sympathetic, it is recommended that the tenant contact a real estate lawyer.
Sometimes, simply receiving a letter on a lawyer’s letterhead is enough to make the landlord agree. Another possibility is to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The tenant can inform the landlord that they plan to ask the BBB to resolve the situation. This will be a lot of inconvenience for the landlord, which they may want to avoid.
If the tenant is breaking the lease early because of a failure by the landlord or property management company, he or she may be entitled to compensation.
Here are sample early lease termination letters. Since it may serve as notice given according to the time stipulated in the contract, it should be a formal business letter and sent by certified mail. This will give the tenant proof of the date the letter was received in the event any dispute arises later.
It is important that the letter contain a forwarding address even if it is not the tenant’s new residence. Landlords typically have 30 days to return a security deposit, so they will need a new address for the tenant.
The tenant may allow the landlord to show the property to prospective new tenants, and give a time when this would be possible. In any case, the landlord needs to know when the property will be vacant, so they can bring new tenants as soon as possible. Their finances may depend on the property being rented.
The tenant should request the landlord to walk through the house or apartment to see if there is any damage. Ideally, the tenant will have photographs of any previous damage when they first moved in, so they are not charged for damage caused by others.
Expensive to Terminate a Lease Early?
In many cases, it can be very difficult and expensive to terminate a lease early. Sometimes, landlords request liquidation damages that are excessive. Most courts frown on these clauses. If the landlord is not sympathetic, it is recommended that the tenant contact a real estate lawyer.
Sometimes, simply receiving a letter on a lawyer’s letterhead is enough to make the landlord agree. Another possibility is to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The tenant can inform the landlord that they plan to ask the BBB to resolve the situation. This will be a lot of inconvenience for the landlord, which they may want to avoid.
If the tenant is breaking the lease early because of a failure by the landlord or property management company, he or she may be entitled to compensation.
Here are sample early lease termination letters. Since it may serve as notice given according to the time stipulated in the contract, it should be a formal business letter and sent by certified mail. This will give the tenant proof of the date the letter was received in the event any dispute arises later.
Early Lease Termination Letter Due to Job Relocation
Name of Tenant
Address of Tenant (this is the apartment being leased)
City,
State,
Zip Code
DATE
Name of Apartment Manager
Address of Apartment Manager
City,
State,
Zip Code
Dear Name of Apartment Manager,
I am writing you to let you know that I will be vacating the premises that I'm currently occupying at [Current Address]. My lease expires on [Date], but it's necessary that I vacate earlier due to job relocation. I intend to vacate my apartment by [Date]. My new forwarding address is [New Address].
Please forward my security deposit to my new address within the agreed amount of time. I am formally requesting a walk-through with you or a staff member to go over my apartment and address any details or issues if necessary. When I move out, I will make sure that all the utilities are paid in full and transferred out of my name.
If you need to speak with me you can reach me at any time on my cell phone at 123-123-1234 or by email at [email protected]. I look forward to your call in order to schedule the walk-through and to turn in my apartment keys.
Sincerely,
Signature of Tenant
Printed Name of Tenant
Early Lease Termination Letter Due to Job Relocation
Name of Tenant
Address of Tenant (this is the apartment being leased)
City,
State,
Zip Code
DATE
Name of Apartment Manager
Address of Apartment Manager
City,
State,
Zip Code
Dear Name of Apartment Manager,
I am writing you to let you know that I will be vacating the premises that I'm currently occupying at [Current Address]. My lease expires on [Date], but it's necessary that I vacate earlier due to job relocation. I intend to vacate my apartment by [Date]. My new forwarding address is [New Address].
Please forward my security deposit to my new address within the agreed amount of time. I am formally requesting a walk-through with you or a staff member to go over my apartment and address any details or issues if necessary. When I move out, I will make sure that all the utilities are paid in full and transferred out of my name.
If you need to speak with me you can reach me at any time on my cell phone at 123-123-1234 or by email at [email protected]. I look forward to your call in order to schedule the walk-through and to turn in my apartment keys.
Sincerely,
Signature of Tenant
Printed Name of Tenant
Early Lease Termination Letter Due to Divorce
Name of Tenant
Address of Tenant (this is the house being leased)
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Name of Landlord
Address of Landlord
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Name of Landlord,
This letter is to formally notify you that I am required to break my lease before the stipulated termination date in the contract. My wife and I are divorcing, and each of us will seek a new residence.
In my lease contract, it gives provision for early termination if I notify you 30 days in advance, pay any outstanding rent and pay one month’s rent as a fee for early termination.
The date you receive this letter will begin my thirty days notice, and at the end of that time on DATE, I will give both the remaining rent and an additional full month’s rent. My forwarding address is ADDRESS.
I will be available any day after 6:00 pm if you would like to view the house to determine that it is in good condition, so you can refund my deposit. You can contact me at 555-123-4567 or a [email protected] if you have any questions or requests for me.
Sincerely,
Signature of Tenant
Printed Name of Tenant
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is an early lease termination letter?
Answer: An early lease termination letter is a written notice provided by a tenant to their landlord or property management company stating their intention to end the lease agreement before the agreed-upon termination date. It serves as a formal request to terminate the lease early and outlines the tenant's reasons for doing so.
Q: Why would someone need to write an early lease termination letter?
Answer: There are several reasons why someone might need to write an early lease termination letter. These reasons could include job relocation, changes in personal circumstances, financial difficulties, or dissatisfaction with the property or landlord. Writing such a letter allows the tenant to formally communicate their intention to end the lease agreement before its designated end date.
Q: What should be included in an early lease termination letter?
Answer: An early lease termination letter should include specific details to ensure clarity and effectiveness. It should typically include the tenant's full name, address of the rental property, the date of the letter, the intended date of lease termination, and a clear statement expressing the desire to terminate the lease early.
Additionally, it's advisable to provide reasons for the early termination, such as job relocation or a change in personal circumstances. The letter should also request confirmation of receipt and discuss any necessary procedures for returning keys or conducting a move-out inspection.
Q: How much notice should be given in an early lease termination letter?
Answer: The notice period required for early lease termination can vary depending on local laws and the terms specified in the lease agreement. It is recommended to review the lease carefully to determine if it outlines any specific notice requirements. In general, providing 30 to 60 days' notice is often considered reasonable.
However, to ensure compliance with legal obligations, tenants should consult their local landlord-tenant laws or seek legal advice to determine the appropriate notice period for their specific situation.
Q: Can a landlord reject an early lease termination request?
Answer: Yes, a landlord can reject an early lease termination request depending on the terms of the lease agreement and local laws. If the lease agreement contains specific provisions regarding early termination or penalties for breaking the lease, the landlord may enforce those terms.
However, some landlords may be willing to negotiate or make exceptions, especially if there are legitimate reasons provided by the tenant. It is important for both parties to communicate and attempt to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
Q: Are there any potential penalties or fees associated with early lease termination?
Answer: Yes, there can be penalties or fees associated with early lease termination. These penalties may vary depending on the terms stated in the lease agreement and local laws. Common penalties could include forfeiting the security deposit, being held responsible for rent until a new tenant is found, or paying a specified amount as an early termination fee.
It's crucial for tenants to carefully review the lease agreement and understand the financial implications of terminating the lease early before proceeding with an early lease termination letter.
Q: Is it recommended to send an early lease termination letter via certified mail?
Answer: It is advisable to send an early lease termination letter via certified mail or another traceable method to ensure proof of delivery. This provides evidence that the letter was sent and received within the specified time frame.
Certified mail also allows the tenant to track the delivery status and receive a return receipt, which can be helpful in case of any disputes or misunderstandings in the future.
Q: Can an early lease termination letter be rescinded or revoked?
Answer: In some cases, it may be possible to rescind or revoke an early lease termination letter, but this will depend on the landlord's willingness to accommodate such a request and the terms outlined in the lease agreement.
If the landlord has already taken steps to find a new tenant or has incurred expenses due to the early termination, they may be less likely to allow the revocation. It's crucial to communicate promptly with the landlord and discuss the situation to explore possible options.
Interesting Finds