You have been living in your Memphis apartment for a while and decide to move. The problem is you have a signed lease with your Memphis apartment landlord. You are faced with the dilemma of figuring out a way to get out of your lease.
There are a variety of reasons why you suddenly want to or even need to move from your Memphis apartment. Most reasons are even legitimate. You get a job transfer. You need to move closer to your mom to help take care of her. You decide to move to another state with your boyfriend. All of these are valid reasons to move from your Memphis apartment. However, you still have your lease and your landlord to contend with.
Regardless of your reason for moving, your lease is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord. Unless your landlord lets you out of your lease, you are financially responsible for the remainder of the lease term. And let’s be honest. Why should he let you break your lease?
You might think that not making your next rent payment is a good way to get out of your lease. It is definitely a good way to get evicted. You might not care if you are moving out of the area. If you are evicted, you are not responsible for the remainder of the lease. However, this still reflects on you and your character so you might want to reconsider your options.
If you have been a good tenant, breaking your lease is probably your best option. Try to give as much notice as possible to your Memphis apartment landlord so he can be looking for a replacement tenant. He will be more forgiving if he is able to make a smooth transition. You should make it clear to him that you are aware of your financial obligation. You are willing to pay for any months the Memphis apartment is not leased. And you will do so without any hassle.
Review your lease to see how your Memphis apartment landlord will handle your security deposit if you break your lease. The lease may specify his right to keep the security deposit. Or it may indicate he cannot keep the security deposit in lieu of rent.
You may have other options. Ask your landlord if you are permitted to sublet your Memphis apartment to a friend who is Memphis apartment hunting. He may allow you to do this until the end of the lease. Or he may be satisfied have a prospective tenant to whom he can lease the Memphis apartment.
Regardless of what you decide to due, remember this is not your landlord’s fault. You are the one breaking the lease. You should not be disrespectful to him if he will not allow you to break your lease without penalty. You may need to use him at some point as a housing reference. He is already unhappy because you are breaking the lease. There is no need to burn bridges on your way out.
Be sure all communication between you and your landlord is in writing. This will help address any future disputes about money you owe him. This is particularly important if he allows you out of the lease. You do not want him coming back later claiming you owe him money. If you have nothing in writing indicating his willingness for you to break the lease, the court will side with him because of the lease.
While it can be difficult to break your lease, it is not impossible. Do everything you can to work with your landlord so that it is an amicable separation. This will minimize stress and save you money in the process.