Lease Terminations
The SCRA provides service members the right to early termination of residential and motor vehicle leases. The service member on the lease, called the lessee, may choose to terminate the lease at any time after the lessee enter’s military service or after the date of the lessee’s military orders. If a service member is a joint lessee with a dependent (like a spouse) and terminates the lease, the termination is also effective for the dependent.
The SCRA lease termination provisions apply to leases of premises, like apartments or homes, and leases of motor vehicles. Early termination of a lease of premises can be sought when a person enters military service during the term of the lease or when a service member receives military orders for a permanent change of duty station or deployment for a period of not less than 90 days.
Termination of motor vehicle leases have different requirements. A service member may terminate a motor vehicle lease under the following conditions:
- When a person enters military service for not less than 180 during the term of the lease; or
- When a service member receives military orders for a permanent change of duty station or changes from a location in the continental U.S. to a location outside the continental U.S or vice versa; or
- When a service member receives military orders to deploy for not less than 180 days.
Notice Requirements
Service members are required to comply with the SCRA’s notice requirements in order to terminate leases. If the notice requirements are not properly met, payments due to the lessor of the premises or motor vehicle could continue to accrue and become due and payable. However, so long as the notice requirements are met, the SCRA provides that leases be terminated and also affords protections on rent deposits, prorated rent or lease payments, and early termination charges. Compliance with the SCRA’s notice requirements is vital. A military justice lawyer can ensure proper compliance so that you can reap the most benefits from SCRA lease terminations.
What if my creditor doesn’t comply?
When lessors don’t properly comply with the SCRA, you can take action, and you may be entitled to compensation. Often times, an experienced military justice attorney can have the issue resolved without going to court. Lessors who don’t comply with the SCRA risk paying for your losses and damages resulting from their non-compliance, paying your attorney’s fees, and paying fines. Lessors can even be prosecuted for a federal misdemeanor.
If you or someone you know needs help navigating the SCRA, please contact Military Justice Attorneys today to speak with an experienced military justice lawyer.
What Our Clients Say
-
"He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom."
My career, my life, my future was completely in his hands and he took it as seriously as I did. He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom. I highly recommend his services if you expect to have any chance of seeing the justice you truly deserve.
- Corporal, USMC -
"It Was Like a Scene From a Movie"
The results I received from the board was the best possible outcome in my favor and saved my career and my family’s future.
- Master Sergeant, USAF -
"I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding."
Mr. Hill tore apart the government's theory piece by piece . . . I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding.
- Petty Officer Third Class, USN -
"I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands."
Gerry Healy is an outstanding attorney. In the courtroom he is confident, knowledgeable, and aggressive. I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands.
- Airman First Class, USAF -
"Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense of me"
Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense. . . and absolved me of any wrongdoing under the UCMJ.
- Corporal, USMC
Our Battles Won
Results Matter. When your career, reputation, and freedom are on the line, you need an experienced law firm in your corner. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at MJA know how to fight and win. Our results speak for themselves.
-
"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Quantico, Virginia. Marine Corporal (E-4) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Wrongful Drug Use After Positive Urinalysis.
-
"NO BASIS"
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman, Hawaii. Administrative Discharge Board Finds “No Basis” for Alleged Senior Leader Misconduct.
-
"NOT GUILTY" Fort Cavazos, Texas
Fort Hood, Texas. Army Private Second Class (E-2) Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges After Week-Long Trial.
-
"NOT GUILTY" Parris Island, South Carolina
Parris Island, South Carolina. Marine Staff Sergeant (E-6) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Hazing, Blood Striping, and Pinning.
-
"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Kings Bay, Georgia. Navy Master-at-Arms Found Not Guilty of Unholstering Firearm and Pointing it at Another Sailor.
-
"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Senior Airman (E-4) Accused of Rape and Abusive Sexual Contact Acquitted by Military Judge.