Generally speaking, lease agreements for rental units in New York City are typically set to last for one year. While this may seem like a short-term commitment, you may still struggle to see yours through. So with vacating your rental unit prematurely, you may wonder whether you still have to pay your monthly rent. Continue reading to learn whether you hold the right to break your rental lease early and how an experienced New York City real estate attorney at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can help you navigate these terms and conditions.
As a tenant, do I hold the right to break my rental lease?
You may have had every intention of residing in your rental unit for the remainder of your lease agreement. But external factors beyond your reasonable control may have arisen, thereby making the rest of your stay infeasible. There may be no excuse if you simply wish to move closer to your workplace, your friends, or otherwise. However, the New York State real property law claims that, as a tenant, you may hold early termination rights under any of the following circumstances:
- You may have realized that your landlord does not provide habitable housing after signing the lease agreement.
- You may have realized that your landlord does not respect your privacy rights after signing the lease agreement.
- You and/or your child may have been made a victim of domestic violence after signing the lease agreement.
- You and/or your spouse may need to move to a residential care facility after signing the lease agreement.
- You may have entered active military service after signing the lease agreement.
Do I need a real estate attorney if I plan to break my lease agreement early?
As you can imagine, your landlord may not be pleased upon hearing your plan to break your lease agreement prematurely. So, for your protection alone, we strongly encourage you to retain the services of a real estate attorney before informing your landlord of your decision.
For one, your attorney may need to assist you in securing a court order of protection that allows you to vacate the premises early. This may apply if you and/or your child have been made the victim of domestic violence. Or, if your landlord has violated the New York State Health and Safety Codes.
In all other circumstances, your attorney may need to assist you in negotiating the terms of ending your contractual obligation with your landlord. This may entail negotiating your departure date. Or, negotiating the remaining rent you owe, the security deposit you are owed, and much more.
In conclusion, arguably the most important action you must remember to take is hiring a skilled New York City real estate attorney. Our team at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. is looking forward to working with you.
