Finance category
Mortgage, loan, investing, tax, and money calculators.
Lease Break vs Sublease Calculator
Tenants leaving a lease early have two real options: pay the landlord an early termination fee and walk away clean, or find a subletter who covers rent for the remaining months. Each has hidden cost — break fees often run 1-2 months plus forfeited deposit, while sublets usually rent at a discount, charge a finder cost, and expose you if the subletter flakes. This calculator sizes both so you pick the cheaper exit.
Usually 5-20% below your current rent
Chance the subletter stops paying
Cheaper exit
Break lease
Savings vs other path
$450
Break-lease total cost
$4,600
Sublease total cost (risk-adjusted)
$5,050
Remaining rent if you stayed
$13,200
Sublease monthly gap × months
$1,250
Rent before subletter starts
$2,200
Risk-adjusted flake loss
$1,100
How the math works
Sublet costs split into gap rent (you pay while searching), the monthly shortfall between your rent and the discounted sublease rent for the covered months, and a risk haircut for the chance the subletter stops paying. The break path is simpler: a flat fee (usually 1-2 months rent), possible forfeited deposit, and any re-letting admin charge.
Quick rule: if your sublease discount is under 10% and you can fill in under 3 weeks, subleasing almost always wins. If the market is soft and the discount is 15%+, the break fee usually wins because you cap the pain at a known number. Always put the landlord's decision in writing before you commit either way.
How to Use
- Enter your remaining rent, months left on the lease, and the early termination fee the landlord will charge to let you out.
- Add any forfeited security deposit, re-letting fees, or broker charges the landlord will keep.
- For the sublease side, enter the expected sublease rent (usually 5-20% below asking), the months it will sit vacant before the subletter starts, and listing / finder fees.
- Compare net cost — the calculator applies a flake-risk haircut to the sublease path since you remain on the hook if your subletter stops paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do early termination fees usually work?
Most residential leases set the break fee at 1-2 months of rent, sometimes with forfeiture of the security deposit. Some states cap it at 'actual damages' — the landlord's real re-letting cost plus any gap rent until a new tenant signs. Always read the termination clause before negotiating; verbal promises from leasing agents do not stick.
Is subleasing even allowed?
It depends on your lease and state. Many leases require written landlord approval and give them discretion to reject. New York's Real Property Law §226-b forces landlords to accept a reasonable subletter; most other states do not. If your lease bans subleases, ignoring it is a lease violation and a fast track to eviction.
Why a flake-risk haircut on sublease?
You're still the primary tenant. If your subletter stops paying or trashes the unit, the landlord bills you and your credit takes the hit. We apply a default 10% risk haircut because roughly 1 in 10 sublets end badly — pick vetted subletters (references, credit check, deposit) to bring that number down.
Should I always negotiate the break fee?
Yes. Landlords frequently agree to 1 month instead of 2 — especially in a strong rental market where re-letting is fast. Offer to leave the unit clean, allow showings, and give 60 days notice. Get the reduced fee in writing before you vacate.
Related Calculators
Lease Break Fee Calculator
Size the landlord's early termination fee.
Renewal vs Turnover Calculator
Renew at a hike or move out.
Tenant Lease Break Cost Calculator
All-in tenant cost of breaking a lease.
Move-In Cost Calculator
Cash to start the next lease.
Security Deposit Refund Calculator
What comes back at move-out.
Partial Month Rent Calculator
Prorate rent for a mid-month move.
More Finance Calculators
Browse all finance →AI Cost Calculator
Compare token costs across OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google AI models. Calculate monthly API spending for GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, and more.
Tip Calculator
Calculate the perfect tip and split the bill between friends. Choose preset percentages or enter a custom tip amount.
Bill Splitter Calculator
Split an uneven restaurant bill by item, divide tax and tip proportionally, and see exactly who owes whom.
Discount Calculator
Calculate sale price, discount amount, stacked discounts, sales tax, and total savings for any markdown.
Gas Mileage Calculator
Calculate MPG or km/L, estimate trip fuel cost, and compare annual fuel expenses between two vehicles.
Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, reverse-calculate the pre-tax amount from a total, and estimate tax for multiple items on one receipt.
Keep exploring
Next steps in Finance
Previous calculator
Lease Break Fee Calculator
Estimate realistic early lease termination cost including liquidated damages, vacancy rent loss, and security deposit risk.
Next calculator
Lease Option Calculator
Model a rent-to-own lease option: down payment equivalent from option fee and rent credits, rent premium paid, and break-even appreciation.