Use this before asking a landlord for an exit number. It compares the full remaining-rent exposure with a written buyout and a practical reletting scenario.
Your Lease Numbers
Vacancy, deposits, and recovery
Use only rent you realistically expect to offset your liability.
Move and new-rent transition
Negative means the new place is cheaper; positive means more expensive.
Lease Exit Estimate
$0
Best, Expected, and Worst Case
| Scenario | Lease exit costs | Move / rent transition | Total | Compared with staying |
|---|
Detailed Breakdown
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|
Methodology
Full remaining-rent exposure equals monthly rent times months remaining, plus unpaid utilities or lease fees and the deposit amount you believe is at risk.
Contractual buyout cost equals the buyout months multiplied by monthly rent, plus notice-period rent, early termination fee, reletting fee, deposit at risk, unpaid utilities or fees, moving cost, and the new-rent difference over the comparison window.
The likely negotiated or reletting scenario replaces the buyout fee with expected vacancy rent. It subtracts expected sublet or replacement rent recovered, but never below zero for the lease-exit portion.
Best and worst cases use the best-case and worst-case vacancy inputs, adjusted deposit risk, and the same moving and new-rent transition costs. This is planning math only; the written lease, local law, and written landlord agreement control.
Important caveats
- Read the lease first. A buyout clause may require exact notice, payment timing, move-out condition, keys, and a written release before it actually ends future rent liability.
- Local law matters. Some places require a landlord to mitigate damages by making reasonable efforts to re-rent; others define fees, notice, sublets, and deposit deductions differently.
- Get any agreement in writing before relying on it. Verbal permission to leave, sublet, or find a replacement tenant may not release you from rent if the lease requires written approval.
- Sublet and replacement-tenant rules vary. You may remain liable for missed rent, damage, screening fees, or lease violations even if someone else moves in.
- Security deposit deductions can include unpaid rent, utilities, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning, missing keys, or lease charges where allowed. Ask for an itemized statement where required.
- This calculator is not legal advice. Talk with a tenant attorney, local housing clinic, or tenant-rights organization when the amount is large, the landlord disputes mitigation, or eviction/collections risk is present.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a lease buyout fee?
A lease buyout fee is a contract amount, often stated as one or two months of rent, that may let a tenant end the lease early if all lease conditions are met. Confirm whether it releases future rent and whether separate notice, reletting, deposit, or unpaid-charge amounts still apply.
Should I offer to find a replacement tenant?
Often yes, if your lease and local law allow it. A qualified replacement can reduce vacancy time and may support a lower negotiated exit cost, but the landlord may still require screening, approval, or a written assignment agreement.
Can my deposit be used as the last month's rent?
Usually you should not assume that. Many leases and local rules require rent to be paid separately and allow the deposit to be applied only after move-out deductions are determined.
What is the break-even vs staying number?
It compares the expected total cost to leave, including moving and new-rent differences, with the remaining rent exposure if you stayed in the current lease. A negative number means leaving is cheaper under your assumptions; a positive number means staying is cheaper before considering non-financial reasons.