{"id":369201,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/ending-a-lease-or-rental-agreement-faqs.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T22:06:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T03:06:03","slug":"ending-a-lease-or-rental-agreement-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/ending-a-lease-or-rental-agreement-faqs.html","title":{"rendered":"Ending a Lease or Rental Agreement FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ending a Lease or Rental Agreement FAQ<\/h1>\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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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

All leases and rental agreements have an end date. Yet, this does not mean tenants or landlords should not give notice if they do not intend to renew the lease. The notice allows both parties enough time to make appropriate arrangements.<\/p>\r\n

Also, tenants and property owners may need to end the lease early. In either case, both parties should understand how to terminate a lease or rental agreement.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores a few frequently asked questions about ending lease or rental agreements.<\/p>\r\n

Check the Lease or Rental Agreement First<\/h2>\r\n

The lease agreement is a legal document that defines the landlord-tenant relationship. It should contain clauses that explain the steps each party must take at the end of the lease. The agreement is the first place a tenant or landlord should look before ending the rental contract. For example, the lease should state the amount of notice the renter should give and provide an address to send the notice.<\/p>\r\n

Although rental and lease agreements are often used interchangeably, these terms are not synonymous. A rental agreement usually covers short-term rentals, such as a month-to-month tenancy. Lease agreements refer to longer-term or annual lease contracts.<\/p>\r\n

The lease agreement should include a termination clause outlining early termination and any associated fees.<\/p>\r\n

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\r\n

Here are a few frequently asked questions tenants or landlords may ask at the end of the lease.<\/span><\/p>\r\n