One tenant wants to break lease without telling the other

[Brandon Gall]

Hey BP community,

I have just ran into a situation that I am not sure how to handle and would love your advice. I have a couple that is on my lease and signed until Novemeber. The one has just asked if she could break the lease without letting her partner know. How would you go about this? 

She is technically responsible for the paid agreement until November, but she is also the individual who posted the deposit... 

Any advice besides marriage counseling? 

Kindest regards,

Brandon

[Theresa Harris]

Both of them signed the lease. Check your wording, but it should say that they are both responsible (even if one leaves).  

I will ask a question based on a few things-does she want to leave because of domestic violence?  Her wanting to leave without giving him notice suggests that may be a possibility.  There are other reasons of course, but something is fishy.  

You could tell her to give 30 days' notice and pay the penalty to break the lease (assuming it is not domestic violence as there are local laws around leases in that instance), but that he has to be on board as they both have to be out.  Otherwise, if he qualifies on his own, say you can remove her name from the lease with his knowing about it and it is up to them to sort out the deposit themselves.