SPECIAL SITUATIONS TO CONSIDER
In some states, tenants who are breaking a lease due to domestic violence, military deployment, or medical hardship may be entitled to early termination without penalty.
In some jurisdictions, tenants may be able to terminate a lease without penalty if they experience a serious medical issue or disability that prevents them from living independently or safely in the unit. A doctor’s note or other verification may be required. MEDICAL HARDSHIP OR DISABILITY
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
MILITARY DEPLOYMENT
Many state laws allow victims to terminate a lease early without penalty if they provide documentation, such as a police report or protective order. Some states also prohibit landlords from charging break fees in these cases.
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty military members who receive orders for deployment or a permanent change of station (PCS) can legally terminate a lease early by providing written notice and a copy of their orders.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tenants backing out is frustrating, but with the right legal structure and documentation in place, it doesn’t have to derail your rental business. Focus on compliance, speed, and communication and keep your lease airtight.
ALEXANDRA ALVARADO Director of Marketing and Education American Apartment Owners Association
Since 2015, Alexandra has been a trusted resource for landlords across the country. In 2016, she launched the American Apartment Owners Association’s (AAOA) educational division and has since hosted and moderated over 200 webinars for thousands of landlords nationwide on topics including screening compliance, evictions, emotional support animals, and more. She curates breaking news and original content for AAOA Today, a biweekly newsletter reaching over 83,000 rental industry professionals, and for RENT Magazine. Alexandra has been interviewed by major outlets such as The New York Times, Fox News, CNBC, CNN, Business Insider, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, BISNOW, and Realtor.com.
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