How to Break a Lease in Brisbane, QLD

Renting a house in the capital of Queensland offers an affordable and flexible lifestyle. The median rent for a residential property in Brisbane is around $620 per week, but this may vary depending on the size and location of the premises.

According to the Residential Tenancy Laws in QLD, a lease agreement is involved in the process, which is a legal binding between tenants and landlords. As you sign the documents, you agree to all the terms, conditions, roles and responsibilities throughout your tenancy period.

Of course, there is a flexibility to end a fixed-term agreement before the end date, but it can be ended for certain reasons such as excessive hardship, domestic violence. You may need to pay the compensation fees if you break a lease without grounds.

So, here is a complete guide to help you understand the process and break a lease in Brisbane without any dispute. Ensure you navigate the procedure and carefully read the agreement before making the final decision.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Understand Your Lease Agreement: Fixed Vs Periodic/Rolling

The consequences of terminating or breaking a lease early depend on whether you have a fixed or periodic tenancy.

• Rolling/Periodic Tenancy Period: Under this, you can break your lease anytime. Make sure you notify your landlord according to the agreement (minimum 14 days).
• Fixed-Term lease: If you are in a fixed lease agreement, you must pay the pre-defined rent for a minimum period even after the termination, taking a toll on your pocket.

Plus, you need to book professional bond cleaning in Brisbane to return the property in a pristine state and retrieve the bond money.

2. Understand the Compensation Costs

According to the tenancy laws in QLD, tenants may be liable to compensate the landlord if they terminate a lease early. You may even get blacklisted if you fail to pay the compensation to meet the losses of a landlord. You can be listed on blacklist tenancy databases due to the following reasons:

• You ended the tenancy and still owe an amount to the landlord (beyond the rental bond)
• A tribunal has the right to terminate the tenancy in case you breach the agreement.

You are liable to compensate the property owner or landlord for:

• Loss of Rent: You are liable to pay rent until landlords find new tenants or until your fixed term period ends. Also, resolve the common issues before the final move out.
• Advertising Costs: Property owners can claim the costs of advertising the premises to find potential new renters.
• Re-letting Fees: Some lease agreements might cover a letting fee from property managers or agents for finding new tenants. You are liable to pay for that, too.

3. Know the Legal Reasons for Breaking a Lease

There are certain reasons based on which you can break a lease early. However, this may vary from state to state. If you don’t want to get abandoned from the tenancy, have a look at the common legal reasons that enable early termination in Queensland.

• Serious Hardship: If you find it difficult to pay the rent due to financial hardship, you can apply to the tribunal and break a lease. However, you may be liable to pay compensation.
• Uninhabitable Premises: You can break a lease early if the property becomes uninhabitable. This means if there is a potential danger or threat to your health, you have the right to move out of a tenancy early. This covers defects in construction, electrical defaults, serious drainage problems, etc.
• Breach of an Agreement by a Landlord: You can terminate the lease if the landlord breaches the agreement. As per the RTA guidelines, unreasonable access to the property, excessive delays in repairs, negligence in property maintenance, unlawful rent increases, and excessive charges come under the act of breaching.
• Harassment and Abuse: If the agent or landlord causes serious damage to the property, injures you, or verbally abuses you, immediately terminate the lease and complain to the tribunal.
• Domestic violence: Renters can break a lease in domestic violence situations in Queensland.
• Death of a tenant: Make sure you provide specified documents before ending the tenancy.

4. Communicate With Your Landlord: Notify your Landlord

After evaluating all the scenarios, you can process further and communicate with your landlord. Explain all the situations and give a valid reason.

Moreover, providing a written notice at least 14 days before the termination of the lease can help landlords find new tenants quickly, reducing their financial burden.

5. Thoroughly Clean the Premises

Make sure you return a rental property clean, even if you break a lease early. This can help you avoid rental disputes. You can hire professionals for an expert bond cleaning Gold Coast. They bring a pre-approved cleaning checklist and clean every nook and cranny to remove dust, dirt, grime, and grease from the property. They will safely handle the cleaning chemicals and provide clean premises.

This can leave a great impression on landlords, and they can easily attract new tenants.

6. Mutually Agree on Tenancy

Make sure the landlord agrees to release you from the tenancy early. You can negotiate compensation and fixed-term lease fees. You can even help landlords find a new tenant and save money.

Tip: You can also apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to break the lease early based on valid reasons. Make sure you provide strong evidence to the tribunal.

Make sure you hire professional bond cleaners in Brisbane to avoid a dispute over cleaning and easily exit the tenancy.

Step-by-Step Guide on Breaking a Lease in Brisbane, QLD

Wrapping up

Understanding the lease agreement and compensation fees is important before breaking a lease in Brisbane. Make sure you consider the legal reasons in mind and reduce the financial hardship when terminating the lease early.