Negative affects of breaking a lease. (apartment, tenant, eviction, credit report)

[jomun88]

Where would breaking a lease show up. Credit reports (only if eviction was ordered in Court). Mortgage applications. Letters of reference to new Landlords. Prospective employers. ???

Thanks for comments.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by jomun88

Where would breaking a lease show up??.

Nope. Well, not if you manage it like a responsible adult.
People break leases EVERY day.

But Court Action, like from when people leave a damaged mess or don't pay what they owe...
well, that s a horse of a different color.

[Ellen Pitts]

I had to break a lease twice. However, I knew I was going to be breaking it one time (we were house hunting) so when I was apartment hunting I specifically found a complex that had a break lease fee in their contract. When the time came I paid the fee and went on my way. The other time, my husband lost his job and we had to relocate. In that case, I actually paid on the lease (there were only two months left) until they found another tenant. Once they found the tenant I was no longer liable.

Talk to your landlord and see if you can pay a break lease fee. Ours was one month's rent and we had to give 60 days notice. That allowed the landlord 90 days to find a new tenant, which was plenty. You want to try to make it a win-win situation, if possible. Usually, if they find a new tenant they can't also charge you for the lease.

If you just walk out on it, the LL can sue you for the rest of the lease...your rent for as many months are left on the lease. If you don't pay it and the judge sides with them, it will show as a judgement on your credit report and you might find it hard to find another place to rent. Also, they might be able to garnish your wages.