How to Get Out of a Lease With a Roommate

It’s not uncommon to have disagreements with your roommates. Conflict can happen when living with someone else, whether it’s over cleaning, noise levels, or general lifestyle differences. When you can no longer tolerate the person, you can learn how to get out of a lease with a roommate.

Reasons for breaking a lease with roommates

Setting up a roommate agreement when you first get together can help set the tone for a respectful living situation. Even the best planning can’t stop your relationship from going south with your roommate. Breaking a lease may be a necessary step.

How to get out of a lease with a roommate

If you’re considering breaking a lease due to roommate issues, you’ll want to keep some general guidelines in mind:

Review your lease agreement together

Your first step should be to review your lease agreement with your roommates. This discussion will help you determine whether or not breaking the lease is an option and any possible penalties for doing so. In many cases, all renters on the lease are jointly and severally liable for the entire lease term — meaning that if one person wants to move out, the remaining renters are still responsible for paying the total amount of rent.

If your lease doesn’t have this clause, you may be able to sublet your room to another renter or negotiate a new lease with the property owner. However, it’s essential to get the property owner’s approval before making any decisions, since the property owner may still hold you responsible for the remainder of the lease term.

Determine who has to move out

No precise rule exists about who gets to stay and who must leave the apartment. Even if you’re not the roommate at fault in a situation, you won’t necessarily get to stay. You’ll have to negotiate this arrangement with your roommates.

Some exceptions exist, such as rent-controlled leases that name a “master renter.” If you have this designation, you might have a right to remove other renters in your unit and recruit new ones.

Consider whether you’re on a month-to-month lease

A month-to-month lease agreement may give you a quicker or easier out, but don’t up and leave without paying rent. You’ll risk action taken in small claims court, and your credit score can also take a big hit. Make sure you give the required notice. Then, pay rent and your share of utilities for the time left on your lease, whether or not you’re still living in your unit.

Think about if you’re leaving an extended lease agreement

A lease beyond a month-to-month agreement requires you to pay rent for an extended period. Simply breaking a lease can hurt your credit score, making it harder to obtain approval for apartments in the future. You may be on the hook for rent payments until your lease agreement ends or a new renter replaces you.

Ask whether every person wants to leave

If you and your roommates all want to leave the lease early, what you’ll need to do depends on your type of lease. Month-to-month renters usually have to provide the property owner with the required notice, so if you can stick it out to the end of that shorter period, you can all go your separate ways without more significant ramifications.

A standard lease makes things more complicated. Again, your lease creates a contract obliging you to pay rent for the duration of the lease. Usually, your only way out without breaking the lease is to find replacement renters that the property owner approves.

Notify your property owner in writing

If you decide that breaking a lease with roommates is the best option, it’s essential to notify the property owner in writing. This notification will give the property owner time to find a new renter and minimize the amount of lost rent. Be sure to include your name, address, and the date you plan to move out in your letter. You may also want to provide the contact information for your new property owner or sublessor.

Don’t forget that your future property owner will likely contact your current property owner before approving you to rent. In other words, it’s in your best interest to communicate with the property owner and try to help find a resolution that everyone can appreciate.

Options to resolve the situation

You have some options to resolve your situation without running into legal trouble or hurting your future apartment prospects.

Negotiate with your roommate

If you have any chance to salvage the situation, it’s usually in your best interest to smooth over your conflict instead of figuring out how to break a lease with a roommate. Breaking a lease or finding a new roommate or replacement renter comes with significant implications and stresses. Creating an agreement that keeps the peace for the duration of your lease will save a lot of hassle.

However, if one of you has to get out, you might try to negotiate the logistics. Think about asking your roommate to move out if you can cover both portions of the apartment rent. On the other hand, if you’re willing to move out, you can see if your roommate is willing to cover the total apartment cost. These negotiations may work if you don’t have much time left on your lease.

Find a new roommate to take over the lease

If you’re breaking your lease because you can’t get along with your current roommates, you may be able to find a new roommate to take over the lease. This scenario is the best solution, as it all individuals to move on without breaking the lease or damaging their credit. To find a new roommate, you can post an ad online or in your community. Be sure to interview potential candidates carefully to avoid getting stuck in another difficult situation.

Pay off the remainder of your lease

Instead of breaking a joint lease, ask the property owner if you can buy out the remainder of your lease agreement. This arrangement might look like paying the amount of rent remaining on a lease with a few months left to get out of your lease. Make sure you communicate with the property owner to agree to this proposal so that the property owner doesn’t accuse you of breaking the lease.

Sublet your unit

If your lease agreement allows you to sublet, subletting your apartment may offer you a way to get away from your roommate without breaking the lease. When you sublet, you have someone move into your place, but you keep your name on the lease. You’re ultimately responsible for rent payments, so look for a subletter you can trust. Keep in mind that some leases may not allow for subletting — refer back to your lease agreement and communicate with your property owner before you have someone else move in.

Don’t forget to check local and state regulations

In addition to double-checking the terms of your lease agreement, you’ll want to look into the specific laws governing evictions, renter’s rights, and more. You always need to check local and state laws before proceeding with any of the above scenarios.

Speak with the property owner

If you’re breaking your lease because of financial hardship, you may be able to negotiate with your property owner. This negotiation is a better solution than simply moving out since it will allow you to maintain your credit score and rental history. To negotiate with your property owner, you’ll need to write your request. Include any documentation that supports your case, such as income statements or medical bills. If you can reach an agreement, be sure to get it in writing to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

Figuring out how to leave a lease with roommates can feel stressful. Knowing how breaking a lease might affect you down the road can help you make an informed decision about how you’ll proceed.

Ready to move out? Search thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and find your next home (without your roommate).

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