early lease termination due to work

[drummerchic]

I rented a duplex in NE in April 2008. I signed a years lease thinking I would be in the same location with my job for at least that long. Now I need to relocate to continue working, but I am unsure if I can get out of my lease early. I looked over my contract and the nothing is mentioned baout early lease termination, except under reasons why the deposit will not be returned. This area states that the deposit will not be returned if the tenant doesn't stay the duration listed above, which is 1 year. Does this mean that if I terminate my lease so I can keep working that I will only lose my deposit, granted I give me 30 days notice as required by most landlords? Can my landlord charge me more even though it is not stated in the contract and I didn't sign anything agreeing to it?

If I don't take the relocation, I will not have enough money to continue to pay the rent and will be evicted, but if I take it, I have to terminate my lease. I can't afford to continue paying the rent here and pay the rent on another place when I have to move.

I need to know what I can do soon so I can get this all taken care of.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[jacksgal]

Google your states rental laws some have provisions for cases where the tenant is forced to move due to work relocation. You can also talk to your employer about this as he has placed you in a position that will cause you to breach your contract with Landlord

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

It would be an unusual lease that allowed a tenant a "job relocation" release from the lease. This is different from, say, a military clause where someone on active duty receives orders for a transfer. They have no decision making ability in that case.

Leaving a lease early means you are breaking the lease. You would thus be responsible for the remaining rent until the landlord could find another tenent.

Your best bet is to contact your landlord and discuss this matter with them as soon as possible. They might be willing to let you sublet. They might also be willing to begin the process of advertising the rental now with the goal of getting it rerented as soon as possible, thus saving you from having to pay extra months rent.

If so, your focus should be on keeping the place as neat and clean as possible, making it enticing to a potential renter and agreeing to let the landlord show it to prospective tenants.

Gail