When you move into a rental housing unit, you will have to sign a lease with your landlord to determine how long you are obligated to live and pay rent to your landlord. Some rental units have month-to-month leases while others are for one or more years. There may be situations in which circumstances change and a person feels as though they need to move out of their current living situation. This may require a person to end their lease before the date in which it is supposed to end.
There are a number of issues that may arise in the event that you move out before the end of your lease that may quickly turn into an unwanted legal battle. You may still be held responsible for making the rent payments until the true end of your lease. However, if the landlord is able to find a new renter for the unit, you may only be held responsible for paying until that time. In order for a landlord to bring a lawsuit against the former tenant, they will be required to prove that they tried to re-rent the unit but were unsuccessful. The may be able to prove this through showing advertisements of the apartment or proving that they conducted interviews with other potential tenants.
It is important that you provide your landlord with written notice of your intent to move out before your lease ends. You may also want to bring a witness when you give your keys back to the landlord on the day you move out. There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when you move out of your rental unit before the end of your lease. If you are faced with a landlord-tenant dispute, you may want to consult with an experienced attorney who can provide you with assistance.
The law firm of Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C., is composed of experienced attorneys throughout the states of New Jersey and Delaware. Please contact the office for a free initial consultation and get any questions answered regarding your specific case.