The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
 

As a member of the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard or other uniformed services, you have legal protections for you and your family when you are called into active duty military service.
 

A law that provides many of these protections is called the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This law was made to help protect members of the military and their family who may have trouble with financial and legal issues because of military service.
 

This law allows a service member that has to move due to military orders to terminate a lease early without penalty. This includes activated reservist, new service members, current active duty deploying or PCS orders.

 

To Qualify for this Protection
 

Under the SCRA, a tenant may terminate the lease early if the tenant:
 

1. Entered into service during the lease agreement;
2. Received orders to deploy for at least 90 days while in the lease;
3. Received Permanent Change of Station Orders - including retirement orders, or Expiration of Time in Service (ETS) orders;
4. Has been called to active duty as a member of the National Guard or Reserves; or
5. Has been ordered into military housing.
   
    

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the landlord demand money or another penalty?
 

• The landlord cannot demand any type of penalty for ending your lease early;
• The landlord must refund the security deposit (minus any damages) within 30 days of the date the lease was terminated; and 
• The landlord must refund any unused portion of any rent that was prepaid to the service member.

What do I have to do?
 

• Give written notice to the landlord (oral notice is not good enough) and
• Give a copy of the military orders to the landlord.

What does this EasyForm do?

This is an easy-to-use interactive form. The program will create a letter and instructions. You can use this to notify your landlord about ending your lease early. All you need to do is:
 

1. Answer a few simple questions. 
2. Review, Sign, Download, Print, and Email your form (letter and instructions). 
3. Attach a copy of your orders. 
4. Make copies for your own records. 
5. Send the original, with attachments, to your landlord.
   
    

How to get started
 

• Start the EasyForm now and let the tool customize the letter for you,
  
  or
   
• Download the attached Sample Form to review