How to Get Out of a Student Apartment Lease (Without Wrecking Your Credit)
Short answer: Most student leases let you do a reletting — find a new tenant to take over the rest of your lease, the leasing office approves them, and you're released. It's almost always the safest exit, especially if your parent co-signed. Walking away or just subletting can wreck your credit (and theirs).
Why this matters: your co-signer is on the hook too
If a parent or guardian co-signed, they're financially responsible right alongside you. That's not a formality — if rent goes unpaid, the landlord can pursue both of you, and unpaid balances sent to collections will show up on credit reports. The cleanest fix is a formal lease takeover (assignment) with a written release for both of you.
Step 1: Read the lease
You're looking for:
- Reletting / assignment clause — most student leases allow it and charge a small reletting fee.
- Early-termination clause — what it costs to buy out (often 1–2 months' rent).
- Notice requirements — how many days of written notice.
- Roommate change procedure — if your roommate is staying.
Your co-signer should read it too. Two sets of eyes catch more.
Step 2: Talk to the leasing office
Most student-housing properties have a standardized reletting process. Ask them:
- What's your reletting / assignment fee?
- What credit score and income do you require from the replacement?
- Do I need to find the replacement, or do you maintain a waitlist?
- How do I get my (and my co-signer's) release in writing once they're approved?
Step 3: List the lease where students actually look
Student housing has its own rhythm — leases align with the academic year, and people search by campus. ReletMe lists leases by city and by university, so transfers, study-abroad students, and incoming students searching for housing near your campus can find your unit.
Step 4: Hand off to the leasing office
When you find a serious candidate, send them to the leasing office to apply through the property's normal process. They screen, approve, and sign the assignment. Don't take payment yourself, and don't promise anything the leasing office hasn't approved.
Step 5: Get everything in writing
Before you (and your co-signer) walk away, you should have:
- A signed assignment or transfer document.
- A written release from the lease for you and your co-signer.
- Confirmation of move-out date and key handoff.
Common student scenarios
- Studying abroad next semester: usually a sublet or a short takeover — see our study-abroad guide.
- Transferring schools: full takeover — see transferring schools guide.
- Just need summer off: sublet vs. takeover — guide here.
- Parents reading this: the parent guide walks through the same flow from a co-signer's perspective.
Frequently asked questions
Will breaking my lease hurt my credit?
It can. If the landlord sends the unpaid balance to collections, that appears on your credit report. A landlord-approved lease takeover with a written release should not impact credit.
What about my co-signer (usually a parent)?
Your co-signer is on the hook until the lease is formally transferred or terminated in writing. Subletting doesn't release them — only a written transfer/release does.
Can I just leave the keys and walk away?
No. You're still legally responsible for the rent until the lease ends, is transferred, or is terminated by the landlord in writing. Walking away can lead to collections and credit damage.
What if my roommate wants to stay?
If they want to keep the unit, the landlord can usually remove you from the lease and have your roommate (and any new tenant) sign a fresh lease — ask the leasing office about a 'roommate change' or 'tenant change.'
Is there a 'student exception' that lets me break the lease?
Generally no. A few states and some military situations allow early termination, but graduating, transferring, or losing a roommate usually aren't legal reasons to break a lease without paying.
General information, not legal advice. Lease terms and tenant laws vary by lease and by state — always verify with the actual lease and the leasing office before acting.