Last Updated on 2023-07-01
If you are unable to fulfill the terms of the lease after signing it, you may need to terminate the lease early, also known as breaking the lease. The specific provisions and procedures may vary slightly between property management companies and individual landlords, but the basic principles are similar. Generally, unconditional lease termination requires “advance notice,” usually ranging from 30 to 60 days. The terminating party typically incurs a penalty fee. In addition to the penalty fee, you may still be responsible for paying rent until a new tenant takes over your lease. Therefore, the penalty fee typically includes:
Penalty Fee + Rent until a new tenant moves in
Pennsylvania does not require landlords to mitigate damages, which means they are not obligated to actively seek a new tenant. To minimize your losses, it is important to actively assist the landlord in finding a new tenant. Therefore, effective communication with the landlord during the lease termination process is crucial. If the reasons for lease termination are more complex (such as the landlord’s failure to fulfill obligations outlined in the contract or other factors that threaten basic living conditions and health), you can seek free legal assistance provided by the university (CMU, Pitt) or hire your own attorney.
Conflict of Interest
Legal consultations provided by the university cannot be used against the university in litigation.