What to do after a lease ends?

Asked by: Prof. Vickie Simonis Jr.  |  Last update: February 16, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (45 votes)

After a lease ends, you can typically renew, move out (returning keys, cleaning, forwarding mail), or explore options like buying the vehicle (for cars) or negotiating a new term, requiring early communication with the landlord or leasing company about your intentions and reviewing all lease terms to avoid fees.

What happens after the end of a lease?

At the end of a lease (especially a car lease), you typically have options: return the vehicle, buy it out, trade it in for a new lease/purchase, or sometimes extend the current lease, but you must account for mileage, wear-and-tear fees, and disposition fees if returning, plus ensure personal data is wiped clean. For property leases, the end involves either moving out, signing a new agreement (like month-to-month), or fulfilling "make good" clauses to restore the property.
 

What happens when a lease is ending?

When the lease runs out. You do not have to leave the property when the lease expires. In law, a lease is a tenancy and the leaseholder is a tenant. The tenancy will continue on exactly the same terms unless you or the landlord decide to end it.

What happens if I don't move out after my lease ends?

If a landlord continues to accept rent payments, a holdover tenant can legally occupy the property, and state laws and court rulings determine the length of the new rental term”. If a landlord does not accept further rent payments, the tenant is considered a trespasser and may be evicted.

What is the best thing to do at the end of a lease?

Most lease drivers often return the car, but you have several end-of-lease options. You can buy out the lease before the contract ends or purchase the vehicle at the end of leasing. Then, you can sell the car once you own it.

What To Do If Your Vehicle Lease Is Ending?

29 related questions found

What is the 90% rule in leasing?

The 90% rule in leasing, primarily under U.S. GAAP, is an accounting guideline to classify a lease as a finance lease (like a purchase) versus an operating lease, stating that if the Net Present Value (NPV) of lease payments is 90% or more of the asset's Fair Market Value, it's treated as a finance lease, reflecting that the lessee essentially buys the asset over the lease term. It's one of several criteria, but it remains a commonly used benchmark for "substantially all" of the asset's value, even with newer standards.
 

What are my options after my lease is up?

These days, lessees have several options at the end of a car lease, including doing a lease buyout, buying out the car then reselling it, transferring the lease, doing a trade-in, or extending the lease. Before returning your leased vehicle, it's important to first review your options.

Do I have to pay rent after my tenancy ends?

Fixed term tenancy

You have to pay your rent until at least the end of your fixed term. You might need to pay rent after your fixed term if you: stay in the property. don't give notice in the correct way - this will depend on the type of tenancy you have and what your tenancy agreement says.

What happens after a lease period ends?

At the end of a lease (especially a car lease), you typically have options: return the vehicle, buy it out, trade it in for a new lease/purchase, or sometimes extend the current lease, but you must account for mileage, wear-and-tear fees, and disposition fees if returning, plus ensure personal data is wiped clean. For property leases, the end involves either moving out, signing a new agreement (like month-to-month), or fulfilling "make good" clauses to restore the property.
 

How long can a tenant holdover?

Duration of a holdover tenancy

In a commercial lease, the holdover term is usually stated to be month-to-month (which means about 30 days notice to terminate) or tenancy-at-will (which means it can be terminated at any time). Depending on the lease, either or both parties may have the right to terminate.

What are common reasons to renew a lease?

Top Reasons Tenants Renew Their Leases

  • Stability and Security. ...
  • Familiarity with the Property. ...
  • Positive Relationship with Landlord. ...
  • Rent Price Stability. ...
  • Avoiding Moving Costs. ...
  • Limited Housing Options. ...
  • Market Trends Favoring Renewal. ...
  • What factors influence tenants' decisions to renew their leases?

What happens if you don't renew your tenancy?

If you and the tenant do not agree to a new contract, the tenancy will become periodic. The terms of the initial tenancy agreement will continue. For example, the same repairing obligations will apply.

Do you pay rent after your lease ends?

The tenancy becomes a periodic tenancy, more commonly known as a month-to-month tenancy, and just continues on until either the landlord or the tenant ends the lease or changes the terms somehow. An example might be: a lease ends, and the tenant continues to pay rent. Landlord accepts that rent, and they continue on.

What happens after the lease expires?

At the end of a lease (especially a car lease), you typically have options: return the vehicle, buy it out, trade it in for a new lease/purchase, or sometimes extend the current lease, but you must account for mileage, wear-and-tear fees, and disposition fees if returning, plus ensure personal data is wiped clean. For property leases, the end involves either moving out, signing a new agreement (like month-to-month), or fulfilling "make good" clauses to restore the property.
 

What happens when you go over your lease?

The leasing company will charge a fee for each mile you exceed the mileage cap. That penalty is part of the fees collected when you turn in the vehicle.

What happens if I don't renew a lease?

If you lose, and the judge doesn't side with you in believing that your non-renewal was illegal, then you'll be evicted. If you end up in this situation, it can really help to get support from an attorney.

Can you stay in your apartment after your lease ends?

If a tenant stays past the lease expiration, a landlord can continue to take monthly rent payments from the tenant, entering what is known as a “holdover tenancy.” If the landlord refuses to accept future rent payments from the renter, the renter will be considered a trespasser and must leave the premises or risk ...

What should a landlord do at the end of a tenancy?

Carry out an end of tenancy inspection

On the day that your tenants move out, an end of tenancy inspection should be carried out and any damage that isn't general wear and tear should be photographed and recorded. Don't forget to make the following checks during a final tenancy inspection. Check the property is clean.

Do I have to pay rent after I move out?

Moving out at the beginning of the month means you must at least pay a portion of the month's rent, depending on your agreement. Breaking a lease before it's over often carries penalties. Review your rental agreement to make sure you provide enough notice before moving out.

What happens after lease time expires?

At the end of a lease (especially a car lease), you typically have options: return the vehicle, buy it out, trade it in for a new lease/purchase, or sometimes extend the current lease, but you must account for mileage, wear-and-tear fees, and disposition fees if returning, plus ensure personal data is wiped clean. For property leases, the end involves either moving out, signing a new agreement (like month-to-month), or fulfilling "make good" clauses to restore the property.
 

How to negotiate a lease termination?

Lease Termination: 10 Steps to a Smooth Exit

  1. Step 1: Review Your Lease Agreement. ...
  2. Step 2: Communicate with Your Landlord. ...
  3. Step 3: Provide Sufficient Notice. ...
  4. Step 4: Explore Lease Termination Options. ...
  5. Step 5: Negotiate with Your Landlord. ...
  6. Step 6: Document Everything in Writing. ...
  7. Step 7: Fulfill Your Obligations.

What to do after a lease is over?

End of Lease Options

  1. Now that we understand what a car lease is, let's explore the different options available to you at the end of your lease. Option 1: Return the Car.
  2. Option 2: Purchase the Car.
  3. Option 3: Lease a New Car. ...
  4. Option 4: Extend the Lease. ...
  5. Conclusion.

When a lease ends, what happens?

At the end of a lease (especially a car lease), you typically have options: return the vehicle, buy it out, trade it in for a new lease/purchase, or sometimes extend the current lease, but you must account for mileage, wear-and-tear fees, and disposition fees if returning, plus ensure personal data is wiped clean. For property leases, the end involves either moving out, signing a new agreement (like month-to-month), or fulfilling "make good" clauses to restore the property.
 

What to do when a lease is ending?

Renew Your Lease

This means you and your landlord will sign a new lease agreement at the end of your current lease term. Landlords will typically reach out to tenants about a lease renewal, but you'll want to ask for it if you don't get the paperwork at least 90 days before your lease expires.