break clause

{{Short description|Term in a contract that allows early termination}}

{{other uses|Break (disambiguation){{!}}Break}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{broader|Escape clause}}

{{Update|reason=the information in this article about tenancy rights may be out of date.|date=August 2020}}

A break clause is a term in a contract that allows early termination of the contract before the default end date. In accordance with English property law, such clauses are typical in tenancy agreements, so as to allow a tenancy to come to an end before the end date stated in the agreement.{{cite news|url =https://www.theguardian.com/money/2007/sep/18/yourrights.legal1 | title = A break clause | date=18 September 2007| work= The Guardian}} A break clause may be invoked by either the landlord or the tenant. The terms of the tenancy agreement are required to be fair to both the tenant and the landlord to comply with consumer protection law.{{Cite web |title=Shelter Legal England - Unfair terms and implied conditions in tenancy agreements |url=https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_options/private_renting/unfair_terms_and_implied_conditions_in_tenancy_agreements |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Shelter England |language=en}} Break clauses usually require some period of notice as outlined in the clause.{{Cite web |title=Shelter Legal England - Using break clauses to end fixed term tenancies |url=https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/renting/how_a_tenant_can_end_a_tenancy/using_break_clauses_to_end_fixed_term_tenancies |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Shelter England |language=en}}