How to write an early lease termination?

Asked by: Garnet Abbott  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (8 votes)

To write an early lease termination, draft a formal letter stating your intent to move out by a specific date, referencing your lease, and including your contact info, the property address, and the reason (if applicable), then send it via certified mail to create a record, and be prepared to pay fees as outlined in your lease, such as one to two months' rent, or follow specific terms for legal reasons like disability or military deployment, ensuring you document the property's condition with photos.

How to write a letter to get out of a lease early?

I am writing to formally notify you that I will be terminating your lease agreement early for the property located at (Rental Property Address). As per the terms outlined in our lease agreement, I am providing you with (number of days) days' notice, with the lease ending on (termination date).

Can I terminate my lease early in Utah?

Yes, you can terminate a lease early in Utah, but you might face penalties unless you have a legal justification (like uninhabitable conditions, military deployment, or domestic violence) or if your lease has a specific early termination clause. If you don't have legal grounds, you're still responsible for rent until the landlord finds a new tenant, but Utah law requires landlords to mitigate damages by making reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit, meaning you only owe the rent lost during vacancies, not necessarily the entire remaining lease term. 

What is an example of an early lease termination clause?

EARLY TERMINATION CLAUSE. Tenant may, upon 45 days' written notice to Landlord, terminate this lease provided that the Tenant pays a termination charge equal to 1 months' Rent plus $50 for every month remaining on the lease or the maximum allowable by law, whichever is less.

Can I terminate my lease early in Oklahoma?

Yes, you can break a lease in Oklahoma, but it usually involves consequences unless you have a legal justification like active military duty, a landlord's failure to provide a habitable home (constructive eviction), or an early termination clause in the lease, which often requires a penalty fee (like two months' rent) and 30 days' notice. If you break a lease without legal cause, Oklahoma law requires your landlord to try to re-rent the unit, meaning you're only responsible for lost rent until a new tenant is found, not the entire lease term. 

How To Write An Early Lease Termination Letter? - CountyOffice.org

28 related questions found

What is the best excuse to break a lease?

The best excuses to break a lease legally without penalty are usually active military duty, uninhabitable living conditions (like no heat, mold, major repairs ignored by landlord), or being a victim of domestic violence/stalking, as federal and state laws often protect these situations. Other strong, negotiable reasons include a landlord harassing you, a major health crisis, or a job transfer, but these often require landlord negotiation, finding a replacement tenant, or paying a fee, rather than being automatic legal outs. 

What not to say to a landlord?

When talking to a landlord, avoid lying, badmouthing previous landlords, mentioning illegal activities, promising unrealistic payments (like cash or future crypto), or making excessive demands, as it signals you might be a problematic or unreliable tenant; instead, be honest about your ability to pay and respect lease terms to build trust and a positive relationship. 

How to negotiate an early lease termination?

Approaching your landlord with a solution, rather than handing them a problem, is a great way to terminate a lease early. If you have someone that can take your place, with minimal interruption to your landlord's cash flow, you're in a much better position to negotiate a mutually agreeable termination.

What is a reasonable early termination fee?

Early termination fee: Early termination fees usually total two to four months' rent. The number of months should be stated in your lease agreement. For example, if your rent is $1,700 and the early termination clause states that the fee is two months' rent, you'll have to pay $3,400.

How to write a letter to a landlord moving out?

Here's how to write a move-out letter to your landlord:

  1. Include your name and contact information. ...
  2. Address your landlord or property manager. ...
  3. Clarify your notice intent. ...
  4. Reference the lease agreement moving policy. ...
  5. Attach final inspection details. ...
  6. Provide a forwarding address. ...
  7. Express any gratitude.

Can I get rid of my lease early?

The amount of time required can vary based on the type of lease agreement. California law requires 30 days' notice for month-to-month lessees and a 60-day notice if the tenant has lived in the unit for more than one year.

What are red flags in a lease agreement?

Knowing when to walk away from a deal is crucial

Here are some red flags to watch out for when signing a lease: Unclear terms: Ensure every term in the lease is clear. Vague language can lead to misunderstandings about responsibilities and rights. Maintenance responsibilities: Check who handles repairs.

Under what circumstances can you terminate a lease?

Reasons a Landlord or Tenant May Wish to End a Lease

  • Ending a lease because the other party has breached a term of the tenancy, such as not paying rent, demanding additional payments, or failing to keep the property in a habitable condition.
  • Wishing to sell, renovate or repurpose the building.

How to respectfully break a lease?

Whatever reason you're ending the lease, you should:

  1. Provide written notice – email or certified mail works.
  2. Give at least 30 days notice for fixed-term lease termination without legal cause.
  3. Consider giving 60 days if the lease is for 12 months or longer.

How do I write an email to terminate a lease?

Re: Termination of tenancy agreement at [your address]

I am writing to give you notice that I am terminating the tenancy agreement and will be giving vacant possession of the above premises on [date]. I have to break my residential tenancy agreement because of reasons beyond my control.

What should a termination letter include?

However, in most cases, a standard termination letter will include:

  • Date of termination. ...
  • Reason for termination. ...
  • List of verbal and written warnings. ...
  • Receipt of company property. ...
  • Details of final pay and benefits. ...
  • Termination due to poor performance. ...
  • At-will termination letter.

What is an example of an early termination fee?

Example: Lee signed a two-year cell phone agreement that, after six months, he wanted to end. Rather than continue to make payments for the rest of the two years, the cell phone company required that he pay an early termination fee of $250.

Why is breaking a lease so expensive?

When you break a lease and have no one to take it over, your landlord will want to receive payment for lost rent. These losses are why fees typically amount to a couple of months' worth of payments.

What is the early termination clause in a lease?

An early termination clause is a section in a lease agreement that specifies the conditions under which a tenant can break the lease early. This clause usually outlines notice requirements, financial penalties, and any specific conditions that must be met.

What not to say to your landlord?

When talking to a landlord, avoid lying, badmouthing previous landlords, mentioning illegal activities, promising unrealistic payments (like cash or future crypto), or making excessive demands, as it signals you might be a problematic or unreliable tenant; instead, be honest about your ability to pay and respect lease terms to build trust and a positive relationship. 

Does breaking a lease early hurt your credit?

When you break a lease, your landlord will most likely charge you penalty fees. If you do not pay these penalties, your landlord can turn the debt over to a collection agency. This can impact your credit scores if the collection agency reports the debt to the NCRAs.

What is the 30% rule when renting?

The 30% rent rule is a common guideline suggesting you spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income (before taxes) on rent and basic utilities, acting as a starting point for budgeting. While easy to use and adopted by lenders, it's increasingly seen as outdated due to high housing costs, varied financial situations (like debt or high cost-of-living areas), and better modern budgeting tools, meaning it's a helpful benchmark but not a strict rule for everyone. 

What do landlords fear the most?

What Landlords Fear Most. We conducted a pre-Halloween survey where we asked the question, “What is the scariest part of being a landlord?” Of the options offered, ranging from tenant screening worries to foreclosures and finance, one area emerged as a strong concern: that a tenant would damage a rental unit.

What are valid reasons to end a tenancy?

Landlords must now provide a valid reason—such as rent arrears, property sale, or tenant misconduct—when seeking to end a tenancy. These reforms aim to improve clarity and fairness while protecting landlords' ability to manage their properties effectively.

What is the 50% rule in rental property?

The 50% rule is a real estate investing guideline estimating that about half of a rental property's gross income covers operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancies, management), leaving the other half for the mortgage and profit, acting as a quick screening tool to avoid underestimating costs, though a detailed analysis is needed for actual investment decisions.