When a tenant breaks a lease, what is their potential responsibility?

When a tenant breaks a lease, they may be responsible for paying the balance of the lease term. This means that if a tenant vacates the property before the lease expires, they may owe the landlord the remaining rent due under the lease agreement until the lease term is completed, unless the landlord is able to mitigate damages by finding a new tenant.

The underlying principle is that leases are legally binding contracts, and breaking the lease without legally acceptable reasons can lead to financial responsibilities for the tenant. Landlords typically expect to receive the full rent for the duration of the lease, and if the tenant vacates early, they may still need to cover those costs unless specific conditions allow for a different outcome.

In many jurisdictions, the landlord has a duty to mitigate damages by attempting to re-rent the unit, but until that rental occurs, the tenant could be held liable for the remaining lease payments. This makes paying the balance of the lease term the most accurate reflection of a tenant's potential financial obligations when they break a lease.