Can I terminate my rental agreement prematurely if I have to move for work reasons?
July 31, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Gerda Dietrich
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you as I am facing a difficult decision and urgently need legal advice. My name is Emma Maier and I am a tenant of an apartment in Munich. Unfortunately, I am required to move to another city due to my employer wanting to relocate me to a different location. Now, the question arises whether I can terminate my lease agreement prematurely in order to facilitate the move.
I am currently in a stable employment and have no option to decline the move for work-related reasons. The new job offers me good prospects and I feel compelled to accept this offer. However, I am worried about how to terminate my lease agreement prematurely. I do not want to risk any legal consequences or financial losses and therefore seek a solution that is fair to all parties involved.
Could you please inform me if there is a possibility to terminate my lease agreement prematurely in this case? Are there any legal regulations or clauses in the lease agreement that allow me to exit this contract before the agreed-upon rental period ends? What steps do I need to take and what deadlines must be adhered to?
I thank you in advance for your professional advice and support in this matter.
Sincerely,
Emma Maier
Dear Mrs. Maier,
Thank you for your inquiry and the trust you have placed in me. I understand that the upcoming change in your life brings a difficult decision and that you are seeking legal advice. In your case, as a tenant of an apartment in Munich who must move to another city due to a job transfer, it is important to consider the legal aspects related to an early termination of the lease agreement.
In Germany, it is generally not easy to terminate a lease agreement before the agreed upon rental period expires. The tenant is generally bound by the contractually agreed upon term and cannot easily terminate the lease agreement early. However, there are exceptions in certain cases that allow for an early termination of the lease agreement.
An important point to consider is whether the lease agreement includes a clause for extraordinary termination. This clause may specify certain reasons that allow the tenant to terminate the lease agreement early. Typical reasons for extraordinary termination could include health problems, job transfers, or financial emergencies. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully review the lease agreement to determine if such a clause exists.
If there is no corresponding clause in the lease agreement, you may have the option to negotiate with the landlord and find a mutual solution. In your case, you could explain the situation to your landlord and request an early termination of the lease agreement. It is important to communicate openly and transparently and work together to find possible solutions.
If a mutual solution with the landlord is not possible, you still have the option to seek legal advice from a lawyer. A lawyer can assess your situation, consider possible legal actions, and support you in advocating for your interests.
In any case, it is important to adhere to legal deadlines and formalities to avoid legal consequences or financial losses. I recommend contacting your landlord as soon as possible to discuss the next steps.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have. I wish you success in your move and new professional beginning.
Sincerely,
Gerda Dietrich, Lawyer
