Can I terminate my lease early due to my job relocation?

Full question:

I am a tenant in Delaware and need to change my residence as my employer’s establishment has been relocated some 40 miles away. Can I terminate the lease and move out before the lease term ends?

  • Category: Landlord Tenant
  • Subcategory: Lease Termination
  • Date:
  • State: Delaware

Answer:

In Delaware, tenants who break a lease typically owe rent for the entire lease term. However, there is an exception that allows for early termination. According to Delaware law (25 Del. C. § 5314), a tenant can terminate their lease with 30 days' written notice if a job relocation requires them to move more than 30 miles away. This means you can legally end your lease and move out before the term is up, as long as you provide the proper notice. In your case, since your employer has relocated more than 30 miles away, you can proceed with terminating your lease.

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.

FAQs

In Delaware, a landlord must provide at least 60 days' written notice to a tenant if they intend to terminate a month-to-month lease. For fixed-term leases, the lease typically ends on the specified date without the need for additional notice unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement.