If this is a residential lease, look for a lawyer who specializes in representing tenants. In San Francisco and Berkeley, try the Eviction Defense Center and the Eviction Defense Collaborative.
In general, all you need to do is give 30 days notice. If you have a lease, the landlord has a duty to mitigate its damages by trying to lease the unit as soon as possible. Most landlords don't bother suing a tenant who gives notice and leaves the premises in good condition. If the landlord does not return your deposit, you can sue for it in small claims court.
If you are a commercial tenant, then you need a real estate attorney with experience dealing with commercial landlords and leases, like us.
Dana
Answered on Sep 28th, 2017 at 11:11 AM