Landlord options for Tenant Breaking a Lease

[Raj Vajir]

Would anyone be able to help on what my options are if a tenant breaks a lease.  I have 3 people on the lease and one of them just walked out (daughter's boyfriend) and now the Mom and the daughter's salaries does not cover the rent and they want to end the lease in 15 days.  What options (steps) do I have?  Can I keep the deposit money?  Where do I file to reflect the broken lease.  Is the legal process pretty lengthy/expensive?  I am willing to just keep the deposit and get new renters in there.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Raj

[Deanna McCormick]

So ya they want to leave,, so you should know your state tenant laws.. but also how to negotiate with tenants,,   you could sign a mutual lease termination agreement where you would retain the security deposit as long as the apartment is left in good condition and they have vacated and removed all personal property by the xxx last day of month by 12 noon it would be a lease termination fee. and security deposit would be applied to that so needs to be listed as such.. If they agree, get it in writing. 

then let them know your also going to be showing apt with 24 hour notice. 

What are your other legal rights,, your lease will give the terms,, you can basically figure it out from there.