Can I break my lease in SA, and what does it cost?

Usually yes, but it costs. The Act caps the rent you can owe, and advert and reletting costs can be added.

Your clock

• 21 days or one rent period: Periodic notice
• 1 month's rent, up to 6 months on long leases: Rent cap
• Set by a formula, ask CBS on 131 882: Advert and reletting costs
• 7 days, domestic abuse can be immediate: Listed exits

The rule in SA

• Periodic lease: 21 days' notice (Form 16), or one rent period if longer. No reletting costs.
• Fixed term: the rent you can owe after you leave is capped. It is 1 month's rent if under 24 months of the lease remain, otherwise 1 month's rent for each full 12 months left, 6 months' rent at most. Advert and reletting costs can be added. The landlord must try to relet quickly.
• Form 14, 7 days: home below minimum standards or destroyed, care, social or crisis housing.
• Repeated landlord breach: Form 12, 7 days. Domestic abuse: Form 15, can be immediate.

A domestic abuse exit needs a copy of the intervention order or a professional's report.

What to send

I am ending my fixed term and will leave on [date]. Please advertise now.

Who to call

• South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT), 1800 723 767
• Legal Services Commission SA, Legal Helpline, 1300 366 424
• Consumer and Business Services (CBS), 131 882

Where this comes from

• Law Handbook, Tenant terminating a tenancy (revised 17 Sep 2025)
• Law Handbook, Intervention orders and tenancy agreements
• Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s 75A

General information, not legal advice on your situation.