If you have a broken lease on your record it can’t hurt to provide a letter of explanation on your record for communities that do work with broken leases. It’s an extra step we know, but it shows good faith in your desire to obtain stable housing and be a responsible tenant. It doesn’t matter if the broken lease was from another state, less than 2 years ago or if there is active property rental debt from the community seeking the amounts due for the period of time you broke your lease. Hopefully it’s less than $1500 because if so, we can help you get approved for apartments that accept broken leases in Austin!
Quick Tips to Writing a Successful Letter
- Don’t lie – Tell the truth and your story. While the templates below are for example purposes it’s important you make the story your own.
- Don’t blame others – It’s easy to get angry over the past, especially when you feel you’ve been cheated. The fact remains that a broken lease is on your record and while you have strong feelings about how the situation should have been remedied the fact remains there was a lease and it was broken.
- Take ownership – Explain the details but also take responsibility. You might have stopped payment because of a roach infestation, leaking AC in your unit or another event that made your living situation unbearable.
- Lessons learned – Discuss what you’ve learned from your experience and how you desire to never break a lease again. You want to be a member of the community, pay rent on time and provide housing for yourself and your loved ones.
- Provide documenation – If you have pictures, receipts, military orders, emails or letters? Hold onto them and be prepared to provide documentation if you are working with an apartment locator in Austin that will advocate on your behalf. In a recent example, we spoke with a client that wanted to break his lease because the apartment community towed the renters vehicle even though he was a resident and didn’t want to reimburse him for the tow and storage fees. While we are still trying to assist this client in finding a new place it’s important to note that we recommend you DON’T NEGOTIATE with property managers or leasing agents over the phone. Do everything in writing and keep the originals letters if you communicated via postal mail!
6 Example Letters by Type for Breakig a Lease
Please remember that these are example letters only. DO NOT COPY THE LETTER – you need to tell your story and it needs to be real in addition to making sure you meet the rest of the rental requirements. You can utilize these letters as a template to assist you in getting started:
Victim of Domestic Violence
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to provide details regarding the broken lease on my rental record. Regrettably, I found myself in a situation of domestic violence, which resulted in significant challenges in fulfilling the remainder of the lease. As a survivor, ensuring my safety and stability became my priority, leading to the need to abruptly terminate the lease to protect myself and any dependents involved.
I hope for your understanding and the opportunity to secure a new residence, where I can continue to rebuild and find stability in a safe environment.
Sincerely, [Your Signature]
Victim of Sexual Assault
To Whom It May Concern,
I am reaching out to offer an explanation for the broken lease on my rental record. During the lease period, I experienced a traumatic event of sexual assault, which resulted in significant upheaval and made it impossible to fulfill the remainder of the lease. The aftermath of the assault necessitated a change in my living situation for my own safety and well-being.
I earnestly hope for your consideration and the opportunity to secure a new residence where I can continue to heal and rebuild my life in a safe and supportive environment.
Sincerely, [Your Signature]
Victim of Stalking
To Whom It May Concern,
I am providing context regarding the broken lease on my rental record. Unfortunately, I found myself in a distressing situation of stalking, which created significant challenges in completing the remainder of the lease. As a result of the ongoing stalking, it became essential for me to prioritize my safety and make the difficult decision to leave the residence to ensure my well-being and security.
I sincerely hope for your understanding and the opportunity to secure a new residence, where I can find a sense of safety and stability while rebuilding my life.
Sincerely, [Your Signature]
Survivor of Human Trafficking
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to provide context regarding the broken lease on my rental record. As a survivor of human trafficking, I was subjected to significant trauma and coercion that resulted in the need to abruptly terminate the lease. The circumstances around the broken lease were a direct consequence of the exploitation and manipulation I experienced.
In the aftermath of this experience, I have taken significant steps to seek safety, stability, and recovery. Securing a new residence is an essential aspect of my ongoing journey toward healing and rebuilding. I am dedicated to upholding the terms of future leases with the utmost responsibility and commitment.
I hope for your understanding and consideration as I strive to secure a safe and stable living environment where I can continue to rebuild and regain a sense of security and well-being.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Warm regards, [Your Signature]
Caring for a Loved One
To Whom It May Concern,
I am reaching out to provide an explanation for the broken lease on my rental record. During the term of the lease, I assumed the responsibility of caring for a loved one who required extensive support due to health-related challenges. As a caregiver, I faced unexpected and overwhelming circumstances that made it impossible to fulfill the remainder of the lease.
The decision to leave the residence was made under extraordinary circumstances, as I prioritized the care and well-being of my loved one. Despite the challenges, I consistently maintained the residence and ensured its proper upkeep until the lease was terminated.
I am committed to securing stable housing and am dedicated to fulfilling all future lease responsibilities with diligence and integrity. I hope for your consideration in extending the opportunity to demonstrate my reliability as a tenant within your community.
Warm regards, [Your Signature]
Unsafe Living Conditions
To Whom It May Concern,
I am reaching out to address the broken lease on my rental record. The circumstances leading to the termination of the lease were directly linked to unsafe living conditions and the landlord’s failure to address critical repairs and maintenance issues in a timely manner. Despite my repeated requests and notifications regarding the unsafe environment, the necessary repairs were consistently neglected, compromising my safety and well-being.
In the interest of protecting my health and safety, I had no choice but to pursue alternative housing arrangements, ultimately resulting in the termination of the lease agreement. I want to emphasize that I made every effort to engage with the landlord and ensure that the living conditions were safe and habitable.
I hope for your understanding and the opportunity to secure a new residence that prioritizes safety and proper maintenance, allowing me to rebuild and thrive in a secure and stable environment.
Sincerely, [Your Signature]
Next Steps to Secure a New Apartment
If you have a broken lease on your record and require assistance finding a new apartment in Austin, your next step should involve reaching out to a reputable apartment locator. Your local expert can assist with rental challenges, such as broken leases, in securing suitable housing close to work, friends or your loved ones. We will collaborate with you to identify properties that are open to considering applicants with a broken lease, thereby enabling you to navigate the rental market more effectively and improving your prospects of quickly finding a new home based on your preferred location, timeline and budget.
