If I have to break a lease due to a move for work and the apartment has a renter when I move, what can the landlord require me to pay?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I have to break a lease due to a move for work and the apartment has a renter when I move, what can the landlord require me to pay?
I live in an apartment but have to move for work. I spoke with my landlord in advance and they were able to get my place rented for someone to move in 15 days after I vacate. My landlord is now telling me he is going to keep my security deposit and require me to pay half of another months rent. My place is in perfect shape and has absolutely no damage. He he keep my deposit and require me to pay additional money even if they have another renter moving in?
Asked on May 9, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
1) You are liable for all rent remaining on your lease term (or for mone month's rent, if it's an oral lease and/or you're a month to month tenant), until such time as the apartment is re-rented. If there is a 15 day, or 1/2 month, vacancy, they can charge you for 1/2 months rent.
2) The landlord may not on top of that keep you security deposit, other than to pay for: i) any damages you, or your family, pets, or guests, caused to the apartment; ii) for any previously owed and unpaid rent; iii) for the 1/2 month's rent, if you don't otherwise pay it (i.e. if you don't pay the 15 days worth, the landlord is entitled to take it out of the deposit; or iv) except to the extent that there might be some earlier termination fee in your lease, which you do not pay and which the landlord then takes out of the deposit.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.