Breaking lease in Wisconsin (apartment, tenant, rental, house)

[Kspragg1223]

Our family is relocating out of state due to my husband's job transfer. Our move out date is April 1st and we informed the landlord of this at the beginning of February and unfortunately the landlord said the owners of the house will not let us out of our lease early until the house is rented. The landlord has only listed it once on Craigslist at the beginning of February and they are asking more for rent than what we currently pay. I have listed the property on a couple other websites and I have continued to list on Craigslist as well. I was doing some reading about Wisconsin landlord and tenant law and mitigating losses. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[Mr_Geek]

Originally Posted by Kspragg1223

Our family is relocating out of state due to my husband's job transfer. Our move out date is April 1st and we informed the landlord of this at the beginning of February and unfortunately the landlord said the owners of the house will not let us out of our lease early until the house is rented. The landlord has only listed it once on Craigslist at the beginning of February and they are asking more for rent than what we currently pay. I have listed the property on a couple other websites and I have continued to list on Craigslist as well. I was doing some reading about Wisconsin landlord and tenant law and mitigating losses. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

From:
http://datcp.wi.gov/uploads/Consumer...14Guide497.pdf

I found this:

Also, under the rule,
the landlord is obligated to attempt to “mitigate
the damages.” In most cases, this means that
the landlord must try to reduce the amount of
rent the tenant is still obligated to pay by trying
to re-rent the apartment. A rental agreement
many not in any way try to waive the landlord's
obligation to mitigate damages and re-rent the
premises as required under Wisconsin
Statutes, section 704.29.(ATCP 134.08(2))

Not very specific as to what they must do but listing it on Craigslist is probably enough.

[momtothree]

Did your husband's job not offer compensation to break your lease? If they are transferring him, they should offer that. Is there anything in your lease that talks about breaking the lease for a fee/penalty etc?

I don't know your laws there, but it can't be right to relist your property at a higher rate. I would look into and see if you can list it at the current rent you are paying. That should be part of the mitigating the above poster mentioned.