Terminate rental agreement? Free legal advice!

Questioner

I have rented a house since October 2014 with a minimum rental period of 1 year. In December I got another job on the other side of the country, which means I have to move. The landlord agrees to terminate the lease provided that 1) I pay a monthly rent and 2) I continue to pay the rent in the months that I am not there, if no other tenant has been found during that period. Can the landlord impose these requirements? I have signed a lease for at least 1 year, but I have a compelling reason to unilaterally terminate the contract.

Lawyer

I advise you to accept the landlord's offer. In principle, this may require you to 'serve out' the lease. The reason why you want to terminate plays no role in tenancy law.

Lawyer

You must then have the contract terminated through the court, otherwise your landlord can hold you to the contract

Lawyer

The landlord can impose these requirements. You have entered into an agreement for a year and must therefore serve out that term at least. Your relocation is not grounds for an interim termination or dissolution of the agreement.