Breaking a Lease in Alaska
Alaska rules on breaking a lease for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) does not give domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking survivors a right to end a lease early; the lease and the general rules on ending a tenancy control. AS 34.03.010-34.03.380
The rules in Alaska
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | No statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) does not give domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking survivors a right to end a lease early; the lease and the general rules on ending a tenancy control. The Department of Law's 2024 handbook also does not mention any such right. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: AS 34.03.010-34.03.380 |
|---|---|
| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | No state statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) has no early-termination right for military service, medical reasons, seniors or a tenant's death. Service members can use the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Department of Law's 2024 handbook also mentions no such state-law right. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: AS 34.03.010-34.03.380 |
Related questions
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
Alaska vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a lease: domestic violence | Ending a lease: military, medical, death |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | No statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) does not give domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking survivors a right to end a lease early; the lease and the general rules on ending a tenancy control. AS 34.03.010-34.03.380 | No state statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) has no early-termination right for military service, medical reasons, seniors or a tenant's death. Service members can use the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. AS 34.03.010-34.03.380 |
| Washington | Yes. A tenant who notifies the landlord in writing that the tenant or a household member was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment or stalking, and provides a copy of a valid protection order or a written record of a report signed by a qualified third party (statutory form), may terminate and quit without further obligation; the request must be within 90 days of the incident. Rent is owed through the end of the month of the quitting date (unless 20 days' notice was given under RCW 59.18.200(1)). The tenant gets the full deposit back notwithstanding early-termination forfeiture clauses (subject to damage deductions). Co-tenants are not released. If the abuser is the landlord, the tenant may leave first and deliver the documentation within 7 days, and may change locks. RCW 59.18.575 | Military: a tenant in the armed forces (including National Guard and reserves), or the tenant's spouse or dependent, may end a fixed-term tenancy on permanent change of station or deployment orders with 20+ days' written notice and a copy of orders or a commanding officer's letter showing a qualifying move (e.g., PCS 35+ miles away, discharge, orders to government housing, 90+ day orders 35+ miles away); month-to-month tenants may give less than 20 days if orders do not allow it. Tenant death: when a sole occupant dies, the landlord must notify contacts and the tenancy ends 15 days after notice or when paid-through rent runs out, whichever is later (a representative may prepay up to 60 days from death). No statute for medical/disability or senior moves. RCW 59.18.220(2); RCW 59.18.200(1)(b); RCW 59.18.595 |
City rules that may add to state law
More Alaska rental law
- Alaska Security Deposit Law
- Alaska Eviction Laws
- Alaska Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Alaska
- Alaska Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Alaska Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Squatters' Rights in Alaska
- Alaska Rental Fee Rules
- Alaska Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Alaska Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Alaska Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Alaska Landlord Selling the House
- Alaska Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Alaska Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Alaska landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Alaska
Compare breaking a lease in all 50 states and DC →
Breaking a Lease in Alaska FAQ
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Alaska?
No statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) does not give domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking survivors a right to end a lease early; the lease and the general rules on ending a tenancy control. (AS 34.03.010-34.03.380)
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in Alaska?
No state statute. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) has no early-termination right for military service, medical reasons, seniors or a tenant's death. Service members can use the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. (AS 34.03.010-34.03.380)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.