Title: Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in New Jersey | Nolo
Headings: Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in New Jersey
Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in New Jersey
Learn when and how tenants may legally break a lease in New Jersey and how to limit liability for rent through the end of the lease term.
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities When Signing a Lease in New Jersey
When Breaking a Lease Is Justified in New Jersey
You Are Starting Active Military Duty
You Have Suffered a Disabling Illness or Accident or Need to Move Into a Housing Facility for Seniors
You or Your Child Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
The Rental Unit Is Unsafe or Violates New Jersey Health or Safety Codes
Your Landlord Harasses You or Violates Your Privacy Rights
Landlord's Duty to Find a New Tenant in New Jersey
How to Minimize Your Financial Responsibility When Breaking a Lease
More Information on Tenant Rights to Break a Lease
More Information on Landlord-Tenant Law in New Jersey

Content: So, if you break your lease and move out without legal justification, your landlord usually can't just sit back and wait until the end of the lease, and then sue you for the total amount of lost rent. Your landlord must try to rerent the property reasonably quickly and subtract the rent received from new tenants from the amount you owe. The landlord does not need to relax standards for acceptable tenants—for example, to accept someone with a poor credit history. Also, the landlord is not required to rent the unit for less than fair market value, or to immediately turn his or her attention to renting your unit disregarding other business. Also, the landlord can add legitimate expenses to your bill—for example, the costs of advertising the property. If your landlord rerents the property quickly (more likely in college towns and similar markets), all you'll be responsible for is the (hopefully brief) amount of time the unit was vacant. The bad news is that if the landlord tries to rerent your unit, and can't find an acceptable tenant, you will be liable for paying rent for the remainder of your lease term. This could be a substantial amount of money if you leave several months before your lease ends. Your landlord will probably first use your security deposit to cover the amount you owe. But if your deposit is not sufficient, your landlord may sue you, probably in small claims court where the limit is $3,000 in New Jersey.