Real Estate - Leases - Termination of Lease Upon Breach

The most common breach of a lease is non-payment of rent. In this case the landlord must serve a five-day notice upon the delinquent tenant. Five days after such notice, the landlord may commence eviction proceedings. If, however, the tenant pays the rent within those five days then the landlord may not proceed with an eviction.

If a landlord wishes to terminate a lease because of violation of the lease agreement by the tenant, other than for non-payment of rent, he or she must serve ten days' written notice upon the tenant before eviction proceedings can begin. Acceptance of rent after such notice is a waiver by the landlord of the right to terminate the lease unless the breach continues.

Notice may be served upon the tenant by delivering a written copy to the tenant or by leaving the same with some person above the age of ten (10) years who lives at the party's residence or by sending a copy of the notice to the party by certified or registered mail.

Leases often prohibit the tenant from subletting the premises without the landlord's written consent. Such consent cannot be withheld unreasonably.