Lease Termination

How long will a lease termination appear on my credit report, and how badly will it harm my credit score?

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Bill's Answer: Bills.com Resident Expert

A 756 credit score is worth preserving if possible. You do not mention if you have missed any payments or how much time is left on the lease. It appears from your credit score that you have at been consistent on paying all of your debt accounts. I am curious what has changed in your financial situation, and the other debts you owe. Lease termination may not be your best option. You may want to discuss your financial issues with the loan company to arrange for other payment options.

A voluntary surrender of your vehicle will likely impact your credit score with the same effect as a repossession or voluntary repossession. This means the lease termination will likely have a strong negative mark on your credit profile, especially because you have such a lofty score currently. My guess -- note my word choice -- is that your score will fall 150 points to around 600.

A lease termination will appear on your credit report for 7.5 years. This time limit is set the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The clock starts approximately 180 days after the date of first delinquency on the account. To learn when an account will be removed by TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, add 7.5 years to the date of first delinquency. Subsequent activity, such as resolving the debt, is irrelevant to the seven-year rule.

Terminate the lease if you do not need any other loans or home mortgage in the near future, and you truly are unable to continue your lease payments and are unable to negotiate with the loan company, and want to risk your credit score, and your only option is to return the car.

Bills.com has previously discussed lease termination and credit scores:

 • Information on voluntary surrender of lease states that returning a vehicle will adversely affect your credit score and you may still be responsible for a deficiency balance if there is one.

 • Advice on early termination of a car lease compares terminating a car lease to defaulting on a loan.

 • All about your FICO Score explains how a credit score is calculated.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

www.bills.com/

Comments (3)


Brian K.
Worcester, MA  |  April 13, 2012
Hello Bill. My wife and I are expecting a baby in a month. I have car lease and the car is a small car is not a family car. I have called the leasing company and try to work out so I can get a family car but they are not willing to do any thing. Not even to swap the lease. What should I do at this situtation. If a break the lease or have a voluntary repo. I am stuck.
Bills.com
April 13, 2012
What you are suggesting is certainly possible, and happens frequently. However, it is difficult to answer your question without knowing the numbers involved, such as the number of payments remaining in your lease, and any early buy-out option in your lease. Take your lease contract to a lawyer who has contract law experience and ask him or her to explain your options for terminating the lease early.
Tva S.
May 18, 2010
Hello Bill, Thank you so much for this information. I was in the same situation (but my score is in the 730's) but your advice has helped ME decide... NO, I will not, CAN NOT - do this... I've worked too hard to bring my score up so I will continue my payments and not deal with -150 points on my FICO score!
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