 TITLE: Can a Broken Lease Affect Buying a House? CONTENT: What Happens if You Break a Lease Early?\n----------------------------------------\nWhat happens when you break a lease early depends on the lease terms and state and local laws. In most cases, you will lose your security deposit, and you may have to pay other fees. If the landlord cannot find a replacement tenant, they may charge you rent for the months remaining on the lease.\nIf you don't pay the amount owed, the landlord may sue you. If you lose, you may wind up having to pay court costs as well as the money you owe; the judge might garnish your wages to do so.\nRather than spending the time and money on a lawsuit, the landlord may prefer to turn your debt over to a third-party debt collector, who will pursue you for the money you owe. If you still don't pay, the debt collector could potentially sue you. END