Guides & Resources

Straightforward answers about getting out of a lease, taking one over, and what parents and co-signers need to know.

• Lease Takeover vs. Subletting vs. Breaking Your Lease: Which Is Right for You?
  Side-by-side comparison of lease takeovers, subletting, and breaking a lease — who stays liable, what it costs, how long it takes, and which is right for you.
• What Is a Lease Takeover? How It Works (and Is It Allowed in Your Lease)?
  A lease takeover transfers your lease to a new tenant who takes over the remaining rent. Here's how it works, how it differs from subletting, and how to do it.
• How to Find Someone to Take Over Your Lease
  Step-by-step: confirm the lease allows it, price it right, list it where takeover-seekers actually look, screen replies, and get the landlord's written release.
• How to Help Your College Student Get Out of an Apartment Lease
  A parent's guide to getting out of a college apartment lease — lease takeover, subletting, early termination, and what your co-signed lease means for you.
• How to Get Out of a Student Apartment Lease (Without Wrecking Your Credit)
  A student's guide to getting out of an apartment lease — reletting, takeover, co-signer impact, and what to do without hurting your (or your parent's) credit.
• Getting Out of Your Lease for a Semester Abroad
  Studying abroad? Decide between a sublet (you're coming back) and a lease takeover (you're not), and learn how to get landlord approval and protect yourself.
• Transferring Schools? How to Get Out of Your Apartment Lease
  Transferring schools isn't a legal reason to break a lease — but a lease takeover almost always solves it. Here's the step-by-step.
• Leaving for the Summer: Sublet or Lease Takeover?
  Leaving for the summer? Sublet if you're returning, take over if you're not. Pricing, furnished vs. unfurnished, and the must-do landlord approval step.
• Does Your Landlord Have to Re-Rent? Duty to Mitigate Explained
  In most U.S. states, landlords must make a reasonable effort to re-rent an empty unit. Here's what 'duty to mitigate' means and how it affects what you owe.
• What Does It Cost to Break a Lease?
  Typical early-termination fees are 1–2 months' rent, sometimes plus the deposit. Here's what breaking a lease really costs — and the cheaper alternative.