In a lease, the end date is not the only date that matters. The notice period matters just as much: how long before the end you have to tell the landlord that you are moving out or not renewing. If you miss it, you may pay for another month or two, or stay bound by the lease for another year.
The rules depend on the country and on the lease itself, so check the exact dates in your lease and in your country’s rental law. This guide explains the general principles.
A lease can be for a fixed term, most often a year, or open-ended: then it lasts until one side ends it. The end date and the terms of renewal are in the lease itself.
Moving out before the end of a fixed-term lease can be difficult. Check whether your lease has a break clause and what it costs to use it.
Many leases renew themselves if nobody gives notice, either for the same term or as an open-ended lease. This is convenient if you are staying, but not if you were planning to move and forgot the date.
Some leases simply end on their end date. If you want to stay, agree a new lease with the landlord in advance.
To move out or not renew, you usually have to tell the landlord in advance, most often 1 to 3 months before. The period depends on the lease and the law of the country, and it can be different for the landlord and for the tenant.
Things to know:
Rent usually changes when the lease is renewed or once a year. In many countries the law or the lease limits how often and by how much it can go up, and the landlord has to tell you in advance.
If you hear about the new rent when the lease is renewed, decide before your notice period ends. After that, you may not be able to move out without paying more.
Before you move out, agree with the landlord on a day to inspect the home and hand over the keys. Photos you took when you moved in will help, and so will a check-in report that describes the state of the home.
You get the deposit back after you move out, minus any unpaid rent or bills and any damage beyond normal wear and tear. The deadline for returning it may be in the lease or the law, most often from a few weeks to a few months. If the deposit is late, remind the landlord in writing.
Create a timer with the end date and turn on an email reminder.