Last Updated October 2025
- Breaking your renter’s lease can cost you money, cause legal issues and affect your credit and ability to rent in the future.
- Some situations, such as unsafe housing conditions, military duty or domestic violence, may allow you to break a lease without penalty.
- Communicating with your landlord early and exploring solutions like helping to find a new renter can help reduce costs.
- Renters insurance can help you protect your belongings, but it doesn’t cover lease-breaking costs.
A new job, a family situation or a problem with your rental are common reasons why you might have to move – and break the lease on your apartment, condo or rental home. Ending a lease early, though, can carry financial and legal consequences. If you think you might need to break your lease, here are some things to know about your rights, responsibilities and possible outcomes.
Start by knowing what’s in your lease agreement
Your lease is a legally binding contract, so the first step is to carefully review it and make sure you understand what it requires. The specific language in your lease will determine your options if you need to move out early.
What are the most common lease terms and conditions?
According to Consumer.gov, rental leases typically specify:
- The length of your rental term (often 12 months)
- The amount of rent due and when you must pay it
- Rules around subletting or assigning your lease to another tenant
- Policies on security deposits and fees, pets and other rules
- Your responsibilities for things like noise and keeping your rental in good condition
Do leases cover early termination?
Some leases include an early termination clause that may specify the exact penalty or fee for leaving before your lease ends. For example, you might be required to pay two months’ rent or forfeit your security deposit. There may also be a notice requirement, specifying how many days’ notice you have to provide your landlord.
How to identify your rights and obligations
If your lease doesn’t clearly spell out what you owe if you terminate your lease early, check your state and city landlord-tenant laws. For help understanding your rights and obligations, you could contact a legal aid organization, such as the Legal Services Corporation, or a local tenants’ rights group, such as the Legal Aid Society in New York. You can also learn more about your rights as a tenant at USA.gov and find the agency that addresses tenants’ rights in your state.
What are the potential consequences of breaking a lease early?
Leaving before your lease ends can affect your finances and ability to rent in the future.
Financial penalties and fees
The most common consequence is a financial penalty. Landlords may require:
- Rent payments for a certain number of months
- Continued rent payments until a new tenant moves in
- An early termination fee
- Forfeiture of your security deposit
In some states, laws may require the landlord to make an effort to re-rent your unit, and, if that happens, your costs may be reduced.
Legal consequences and eviction risk
If you move out early without following the proper steps — such as giving notice or meeting lease requirements — your landlord could take legal action. In some cases, they may initiate eviction proceedings to recover missed rent or formally reclaim the unit, even if you’ve already left or plan to leave. An eviction can stay on your record for years, making it harder to rent again. Also, eviction proceedings may involve court costs or attorneys’ fees.
Impact on your credit score and history
According to the National Consumer Law Center, if you leave your rental without paying what you owe under your lease, unpaid rent or fees can be sent to collections and can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. That can hurt your ability to qualify for loans, credit cards or even certain jobs. Breaking a lease might also make it harder to rent in the future because many landlords check credit histories.
Are there situations where you might be able to legally break a lease?
You may be able to end your lease early without penalty under certain circumstances, depending on your state or local laws.
Unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions
If your rental unit doesn’t meet health and safety codes — if it has persistent mold, broken heating or pest infestations, for example — you may have legal grounds to move out.
Your landlord breaches the lease agreement
If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs or otherwise violates your lease, you might be able to terminate it legally.
You’re an active member of the military
If you’re an active servicemember, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) may allow you to break a lease if you’re deployed or you get a permanent change of station orders.
Domestic violence protections
In most states, if you have to move because of domestic violence and you have the proper documentation, you may be able to end your lease early without penalty.
Checklist: Steps to take if you need to break your lease
If you need to move out, planning ahead can help reduce the consequences.
1. Review your lease and state and local laws
Start by reading your lease closely. Then research your state and city landlord-tenant laws to understand your rights. City laws may be stricter than your state’s.
2. Communicate with your landlord early
Talk with your landlord as soon as possible. Many are willing to work with tenants, especially if you give advance notice. Your lease or the laws applicable to you may require a specific number of days’ notice – such as 30 days, 60 days or even longer.
3. Offer solutions, like finding a replacement tenant
In some states, landlords are required to make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit. Offering to help find a qualified tenant might reduce the time you’re responsible for rent or the amount your landlord expects you to pay. Or, consider subletting your rental, if your lease and state law allow. This means another person moves in and pays rent, but your name stays on the lease. Many leases require written approval from your landlord before subletting.
4. Get agreements in writing
If you reach an arrangement with your landlord, put it in writing and make sure your landlord signs it. This helps protect you if disputes arise later.
How does renters insurance fit in?
While renters insurance coverage can be valuable, it does not typically cover lease-breaking costs.
What renters insurance covers (and doesn’t cover)
Renters insurance can typically help pay for:
- Personal belongings if they’re damaged or stolen
- Liability if someone is injured or their property is damaged in your home
- Additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable because of a covered event like a fire
Renters insurance does not typically cover:
- Penalties or fees for breaking a lease
- Rent payments after you move out
Common misconceptions about renters insurance and lease-breaking
Some renters assume their insurance will cover financial penalties if they move out early. That’s not the case. Renters insurance is designed to help with covered losses, not contractual obligations.
How Farmers® can help
Whether you’re reviewing how renters insurance can help you protect your finances or exploring whether renters insurance is worth it, a Farmers agent can guide you through the details. Also, you can browse many articles about renters insurance on the Farmers website.
The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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