Existing Tenant Wants to Break Lease

[Charlie Miner]

Hello, I have an existing tenant who wants to break their lease. The lease (I inherited) states they are still responsible for any remaining rent obviously. My initial thought is to ask them to be out by X date and would be responsible for any rent up until the place is re-rented out again. Is this a strategy others have used? If so, are there any legal documents that should be signed for my protection? Any other feedback or advice is appreciated. 

[CJ M.]

@Charlie Miner

Always go by what the lease says. My experience has been most tenants don't pay the balance when there are moultiple months they owe...and it's oftentimes not worth chasing them down for. Personally, my leases just state they forfeit their SD and owe 1 extra month of rent. Seems to be easier to collect in my area.

All that said, I would still try and collect the money. Just be tactful, professional, and reference the lease agreement. See how they respond and if they don't favorably then reference lease again, perhaps mention sending balance to collections which would impact their credit (if you can). Others can chime in, but usually priority 1 for me is to just get my asset back!

Best of luck