You may want to continue your lease, especially if you have family members or friends living in the residence who are staying in the U.S. In this scenario, there are a few options:
- You can continue the original lease. This often will require the landlord’s consent because you will no longer occupy the space.
- You can terminate the lease, and the remaining occupants can start a new lease with the landlord’s permission.
- You can assign or sublet the lease. Be aware that traditionally, when a lease is sublet the individual who originally signed the lease with the landlord directly will still be ultimately responsible for the payments. In addition, subletting is prohibited under many statutes and written leases, and can lead to eviction of the sublessor.
- Planning ahead. If it is possible that you may not personally be available to make arrangements to terminate or revise your lease with your landlord, appoint a trusted legal representative to make these arrangements on your behalf.
In all continuing lease scenarios, open and honest communication with the landlord is key.