When Life Changes But You’re Stuck in Your Lease

Oftentimes the more that we make plans the more we are confronted with the fact that life is an ever-changing thing; we may count on something happening and quickly realize that things have drastically changed. Really the only thing that we can truly count on in life is that things will never stay the same for too long. There are logistical considerations that come along with this change, however, especially for those that are contractually bound in certain arrangements. For those who are bound to a lease agreement through their rental of an apartment, life changes may quickly warrant a change in their rental status.

When approaching these delicate topics it is best to go straight to the apartment manager with honesty and an open mind, especially if you want to move to another apartment. Your handling of this situation will affect your references, rental history, and possibly credit…all important factors when searching for a new rental. Your lease is a legal contract, but there are options when it comes to changing the terms of the lease; working together as a team rather than going at from a contentious standpoint will help your chances of success in finding a situation that works for both of you.

The following are some of the most common reasons that renters find themselves having to renegotiate their lease agreement:

Divorce, breakup, or separation

There is nothing more emotionally grueling than coming to terms with the end of a relationship. But in addition to the emotional ramifications, there are logistical concerns that must be considered – most notably your living arrangement. There are a couple of ways to go when it comes to managing a lease agreement in the case of a divorce, breakup, or separation:

1. If one person’s name is listed on the lease, then this can be a smooth transition. The person who is not listed on the lease can move out leaving the apartment to the technical tenant. There may be financial considerations for the person left in the apartment, however, as they may have gotten used to paying the rent with two salaries. In this situation, they may consider finding a roommate.
2. If both names are on the lease or the person who was originally listed wishes to essentially turn the apartment over to their ex-partner, the tenants may consider talking to the apartment manager about a lease assignment. A lease assignment is the legal assignment of the remaining months of the lease to another tenant. If the apartment manager agrees, the lease can be transferred from one name to another.

Loss of a Job

This may be the most difficult situation as there often few financial options left for tenants. They may consider:

1. Talking to the apartment manager about a sublet of the apartment – a situation where the tenant remains as the primary renter on the lease and a temporary tenant pays the monthly rent for a defined period of time.
2. Considering a lease assignment where someone else takes over as tenant.
3. Breaking a lease. There is no easy way to learn how to break a lease; but oftentimes it is necessary to do so for financial reasons. In such a situation it’s important to talk the apartment manager about options and possible penalties.

Going Away for Summer Vacation

For those renting an apartment there may be instances where a summer vacation may take them away from the apartment for an extended period of time. Maybe you are a student in college who wants to travel or study abroad for the summer. Or perhaps you just want to go home to work and see your family during the summer. In such situations, the apartment manager may approve a sublet for the summer.

• Tenant Resource Center
• How to Sublet Your Apartment
• Sublet.com