Life changes—whether it’s a new job, a family emergency, or a health crisis—and sometimes that means you need to move before your lease ends. While breaking a lease can seem intimidating, tenants in the U.S. have legal protections that allow them to exit a rental agreement under certain conditions without facing heavy penalties . Let’s explore when you can legally break a lease and how to do it the right way. Common Legal Reasons to Break a Lease Unsafe Living Conditions If your apartment has serious health or safety issues (mold, lack of heat, infestations, etc.) and your landlord refuses to fix them, you may be able to break the lease under the implied warranty of habitability . Military Service Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) , active duty military members who receive deployment or relocation orders can terminate a lease early without penalty. Victim of Domestic Violence Many states allow victims of domestic abuse to break a lease early if they ...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in June 2025 that it will expand its fast-track asylum processing program to more border states. The program, which allows for rapid resolution of credible fear claims within 30 days, will now include Arizona and New Mexico ports of entry. Key Points: Goal: Reduce immigration court backlog (currently over 3 million cases). Criticism: Advocates claim it pressures migrants to navigate complex procedures too quickly. Legal Access Concerns: Nonprofits push for guaranteed access to legal counsel during initial screenings. What this means: If you’re seeking asylum in 2025, your case could be processed faster—but you must be prepared with documents and legal support right away .