Breaking a Lease in Washington
Posted by Priscilla
Tenants end up in situations that require them to break leases due to divorce, financial hardship or medical issues. Other times people make a decision to break a lease due to poor quality of a product or a job change. Breaking a lease in Washington is possible provided the leaseholder is agreeable and understands the tenants reasons leaving.
The best thing to do is to contact the landlord and let him or her know that there is a desire to get out of the lease. If the tenant is upfront with the landlord, there is a better chance he or she would be willing to help. Yes, honesty is the best policy.
The current tenant can try to find a replacement tenant to finish the terms of the lease. There would be an agreement created called a sublease that would obligate the new tenant to pay rent in the apartment. The current tenant would be responsible for the actions of the new tenant. It is best to find a tenant that is trustworthy and financially secure before committing to a sublease.
If none of these options are available, then breaking the lease is difficult. Check with the landlord and see if it is possible to negotiate a settlement. There are times that a landlord will be willing to listen, especially if the tenant is honest. If there is an agreement between the landlord and the tenant to break the lease, make sure it is in writing.
Landlords do have an obligation to the tenant to provide a safe and clean living environment. There are times that a landlord violates these conditions. If the landlord cannot repair problems that make the apartment unsafe within a reasonable amount of time, the tenant has the right to move to a better place.
Regardless if the tenant or landlord violates the lease agreement, it is best to seek legal assistance to ensure the lease is broken properly.
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