Posted: June 20th, 2017

Paula rented an apartment to Dave for $500 per month. Paula and Dave signed a one-year lease, to be effective beginning January 1st. After three months, Dave decided that he did not like the apartment. He gave Paula a 30-day written notice, stating that he would vacate the rental unit at the end of the thirty days, which was April 30th. Upon receipt of Dave’s notice, Paula made reasonable efforts to find a new tenant. Nevertheless, the apartment remained vacant from May 1 st. through June 30 th. Paula re-rented the apartment beginning July 1 st. for one year. Paula sues Dave in small claims court. What is the likely outcome?

Paula rented an apartment to Dave for $500 per month. Paula and Dave signed a one-year lease,
to be effective beginning January 1st. After three months, Dave decided that he did not like the
apartment. He gave Paula a 30-day written notice, stating that he would vacate the rental unit at
the end of the thirty days, which was April 30th. Upon receipt of Dave’s notice, Paula made
reasonable efforts to find a new tenant. Nevertheless, the apartment remained vacant from May 1
st. through June 30 th. Paula re-rented the apartment beginning July 1 st. for one year. Paula sues
Dave in small claims court. What is the likely outcome?
a. Paula is entitled to the balance of the lease, or $4,000, because Dave did not have a valid
reason to breach the contract.
b. Paula is entitled to nothing, because Dave gave Paula thirty-days written notice.
c. Paula is entitled to $1,000, because she tried to find another tenant immediately upon
learning of Dave’s intent to breach the contract, but was unable to