Ending Lease Early/Tenants Request

[Justin Youngblood]

Hello BP!

My tenants of 2 years notified me today that they will not be renewing their lease and they’d like to end their lease early because they are buying a new home. Their lease ends 1/21/23 and they will be moving out at the beginning of December. They have been great tenants (always pay on time and report any issues in a timely manner) and I would like to work with them but I know this is a tough time of year to find a tenant.

The lease states that if the tenants want to terminate early then the tenant “acknowledges and understands that the landlord will use reasonable efforts to re-rent the premises, but that the tenant is shall remain responsible for the performance of all the tenants obligations under this agreement” until the landlord can re rent the premises unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

How would you handle ending the lease early given this situation? Thanks in advance.

[Laura Stayton]

Quote from @Justin Youngblood:

Hello BP!

My tenants of 2 years notified me today that they will not be renewing their lease and they’d like to end their lease early because they are buying a new home. Their lease ends 1/21/23 and they will be moving out at the beginning of December. They have been great tenants (always pay on time and report any issues in a timely manner) and I would like to work with them but I know this is a tough time of year to find a tenant.

The lease states that if the tenants want to terminate early then the tenant “acknowledges and understands that the landlord will use reasonable efforts to re-rent the premises, but that the tenant is shall remain responsible for the performance of all the tenants obligations under this agreement” until the landlord can re rent the premises unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

How would you handle ending the lease early given this situation? Thanks in advance.

We would let them know that we'll be putting the home on the market right away and to be flexible with showings in order to rent it as quickly as possible to possibly relieve them of the responsibility of Jan rent.  Otherwise they are responsible.  Did they say they expect to be let out of their lease early?  They may expect to pay (why would they assume otherwise?)