Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

I am a tenant in massachusetts and I am terminating my lease early. I put this in writing for the landlord and they have already found someone and they have signed a new lease for when I move out. The landlord is demanding an early termination fee (for using brokers to find a new tenant etc.) however there is nothing in my lease that makes note of an early termination fee. I told them this but they said even though it's not in the lease their attorneys said it is still owed. Is this true or are they just trying to scare me thinking I don't know my rights? Do I legally owe them an early termination fee?


Asked on 4/30/12, 10:05 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roderick Oreste Oreste Law

Not neccessarily - but if you are terminating your lease early, they could potentially collect the rent they would have received from you if you stayed for the entire lease period.

Since landlord has another tenant moving in, that amount that they can try and recoup from you is probably much less (if anything at all).

The simple answer is whatever the lease says you own is what you owe. If there's no early termination fee than you're not bound to pay it.

Rod Oreste

617-871-9662

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Answered on 4/30/12, 10:12 am


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