What happens if I stop paying rent?
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What happens if I stop paying rent?
I have a lease with no-break lease fee and it’s been 2 months with no new
tenants taking over. The total left on the lease is valued at $7,750. What happens if I quit paying?
Asked on March 11, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Missouri
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
1) You can be evicted for nonpayment.
2) The landlord can sue you for the full remaining value of, or payments due under the lease, subject only to the following:
a) the landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the space--if he/she does not, that will reduce what the court would give him/her;
b) if somoene rerents it before the lease term is done, the landord can only get money equal to the rent, etc. due from you between when you stopped paying and when the new tenant took over;
c) if no one re-rents *and* the case gets to trial very fast, before your lease term is done, the landlord can't get rent for any periods beyond the trial date.
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