Learn when and how tenants may legally break a lease in North Carolina and how to limit liability for rent through the end of the lease term. If the tenant fails to provide proper notice to their landlord, they could pay penalties when they try to break the lease. Penalties.A mental or physical disability is just cause in North Carolina to break a lease early without penalty. 1. An early lease termination clause exists. The standard lease break fee is around 2 times the monthly rent. Finding someone to take over your lease is a commonly utilized option. Breaking a lease agreement can bring serious ramfications. Check out these common lease loopholes that NC Lease Laws have to offer. What Are the Steps to Break a Lease Without Penalty in North Carolina? In North Carolina, this means you must provide the tenants with a relevant eviction notice for an early lease termination.