Full question:
We have a one year lease on the condo we live in. The lease will expire on 4/30/10. Our landlord has just put the condo up for sale.The landlord wants us to remain in the condo until it is sold. We would prefer to be able to move out at any time now since we will eventually have to move when it is sold anyhow. Has the landlord broken our lease and we are forced to remain and show the place to prospective buyers and pay our montly rent until our lease expires?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Lease Termination
- Date:
- State: Washington
Answer:
If either you or your landlord wants to end the lease, you must follow the lease terms and applicable landlord-tenant laws. If you break the lease without proper notice, you may be responsible for paying rent until the lease ends. However, your landlord must try to re-rent the condo to reduce damages.
Typically, when a property is sold, the existing lease remains in effect, and the new owner usually honors it. The sale itself does not usually break the lease. Additionally, it's common for landlords to show the property to prospective buyers, provided they give you reasonable notice.
This situation might be best resolved through a conversation with your landlord.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.