Lease Buyout Calculator
Estimate what it really costs to end your lease early. Enter your rent and remaining term to compare a negotiated buyout against the rent you could owe if you simply move out.
Your lease details
Your estimate
Negotiated buyout cost
$5,700
- Buyout fee (2 mo rent)
- $3,600
- Deposit forfeited
- $1,800
- Re-letting fee
- $300
- Rent left on lease
- $12,600
- If you move out (landlord re-rents)
- $3,900
- Worst case (no re-rent)
- $12,900
A buyout could save you about $7,200 versus owing the full remaining rent.
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How a lease buyout is calculated
A lease buyout (also called an early termination fee or lease break fee) is a payment that releases you from the rest of your lease term. Most leases state the amount as a multiple of monthly rent, often one to three months, and may add forfeiture of the security deposit plus a re-letting fee that covers advertising and turnover.
If your lease has no early termination clause, your exposure is different: you generally owe rent until the unit is re-rented. In most states the landlord has a duty to mitigate damages, meaning they must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and any rent they collect reduces your balance. That is why the calculator above shows both a negotiated buyout and a re-rent scenario.
Ways to lower what you pay
- Give more notice. 60 days of lead time gives your landlord time to re-rent, which is the leverage that gets fees reduced.
- Offer a replacement tenant. Subletting or a lease assignment can eliminate the fee entirely when the lease allows it.
- Check for a legal right to terminate. Military orders, uninhabitable conditions, domestic violence protections, and landlord breaches can end a lease at no cost in many states.
- Get it in writing. Any agreed amount should be a signed mutual termination release, not a verbal promise.
Lease buyout calculator FAQs
How much does a lease buyout usually cost?
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Most residential leases set a buyout fee of one to three months' rent, sometimes plus forfeiting the security deposit and paying a re-letting or advertising fee. Some leases have no buyout clause at all, in which case you may owe rent until the unit is re-rented.
How is a lease buyout fee calculated?
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A buyout fee is normally a multiple of your monthly rent stated in the early termination clause. If your lease has no clause, the practical cost is the remaining rent owed minus rent your landlord collects from a replacement tenant, plus any documented re-letting costs.
Is a buyout cheaper than just walking away?
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Usually yes. Walking away can expose you to the full remaining rent balance, collections, and a damaged rental history. A negotiated buyout caps your liability at a known number and typically ends the lease cleanly in writing.
Can I negotiate the lease buyout fee down?
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Often. Landlords in strong rental markets frequently accept less than the stated fee if you give long notice, help show the unit, or find a qualified replacement tenant. Get any reduced amount confirmed in writing before you pay.
What is the duty to mitigate damages?
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In most US states a landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit after you leave, and rent collected from a new tenant reduces what you owe. Rules vary by state, so check your state's landlord-tenant statute or ask an attorney.
Estimates only. This calculator is not legal advice and your lease terms and state law control. Consult a licensed attorney before acting.