Can I terminate a temporary rental agreement prematurely?

Questioner

I have been renting a non-independent living space since April 2021. Due to circumstances I would like to leave, but my rental contract states the following: 'This agreement has been entered into for a fixed period and will commence on 01-04-2021 and will run until 31-03-2023. With a minimum rental period of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years. This has been discussed with the tenant.' In a subsequent article the following addition is made: 'The tenant is obliged to compensate the landlord for all costs, damages and interest resulting from an interim termination of the lease. Costs and damages also include the rent due plus the costs of the agreed goods and services to be provided by the landlord, including heating costs, the costs of reletting, all costs incurred and to be incurred for the collection of damages both in and out of court.' My question now is: can I terminate the lease agreement prematurely? And if so, do I still have to pay the landlord the rent for the remaining four months + all additional costs mentioned above?

Lawyer

A tenant may always terminate the lease with due observance of the notice period (usually one month). The landlord may not claim the remaining lease terms as compensation because the provision that the lease is concluded for a minimum period of one year is in conflict with mandatory law that must protect the tenant. Incidentally, I think that you will then have problems with the return of the deposit and the delivery of the house. So pay close attention to that and feel free to contact me as soon as that happens.