{"id":369194,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/breaking-a-lease-to-take-a-job.html"},"modified":"2026-09-08T11:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:16:00","slug":"breaking-a-lease-to-take-a-job","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/breaking-a-lease-to-take-a-job.html","title":{"rendered":"Breaking a Lease to Take a Job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Breaking a Lease to Take a Job<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Breaking a lease to take a new job isn\u2019t a legally valid reason to end a fixed\u2011term rental agreement early, and tenants can face penalties or damage to their rental history for doing so. You can only break a lease without liability when specific laws apply, such as domestic violence protections, active\u2011duty military orders, or serious habitability issues. If none of these apply, you may need to explore alternatives like subleasing, re\u2011renting, or negotiating a lease buyout.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Breaking your apartment lease to take a job in another city or state is not a valid legal reason for terminating a yearly lease before its end date. Leases are binding legal contracts, and renters face significant consequences if they break them early. These consequences range from a penalty fee to a negative mark on your rental record or credit score.<\/p>\n

This article explores how tenants can\u00a0legally break a lease<\/a> and alternative options if they can’t end the contract early.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Paying double rent because you’re stuck in a lease can certainly dampen the excitment of a dream job offer. Contact a landlord-tenant attorney near you<\/a> for guidance and support.<\/p>\n

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Legal Reasons to Break a Lease<\/h2>\n

In some states, landlord-tenant and state laws allow a renter to end a fixed-term lease early for precise reasons. These include:<\/p>\n