Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I had to break a 6 months house lease early due to losing my job. I talked to the management company and they said it was ok and I would be liable for lost rent, repairs cleaning ect. Per the lease.. All of that is fine and went smoothly. In additiona, the managment company charged me a early termination fee of $500. It is in the terms of the lease. My questions is whether this is legal to do in California? I understand pay for lost revenue or costs and I have done that through withoholdings from my depositl. I do not understand the penalty as is merely punitive and advaince their position over me. Is it legal in CA to do this


Asked on 1/18/12, 1:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

Yes, it is legal. Changing tenants has more economic effect on a landlord then just lost rent. There are expenses involved in finding a new tenant, the unit has to be cleaned and not all things that need to be fixed, repainted, cleaned, etc., can be successfully charged as being more than normal wear and tear. There are book keeping costs, etc. The termination fee has to be reasonable and your seems as being toward the higher end of likely reasonable.

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Answered on 1/19/12, 11:07 am


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