Lehi, UT asked in Landlord - Tenant for Utah

Q: Does a landlord have a responsibility to attempt to find a new tenant if we break our lease early?

We are breaking our lease early due to personal reasons, nothing outlined in the contract. There is over a year left on the lease. The landlord said that he is willing to let us sell our lease or terminate the lease once a new tenant is found. Unfortunately, it seems there have been no reasonable efforts on his part to advertise the property or show it as available. (We have multiple interested parties in renting property). Is the landlord obligated to make a reasonable effort to advertise and accept applications? What happens if he doesn't?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Kenneth Prigmore
Kenneth Prigmore
Answered
  • Spanish Fork, UT
  • Licensed in Utah

A: The landlord has a claim against you based on the lease period, however, if you quit the lease, the Landlord has a responsibility to advertise and actively seek a new tenant. The landlord can charge you for the advertising expense, but he can't just sit on the empty property for a year and collect the money normally due from a renter.

1 user found this answer helpful

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