Penalty clause in lease

[plant43]

The lease I have at the moment (I'm the tenant) has a penalty clause that states that no matter when the lease is terminated (even if the lease expires) the tenants have to pay a penalty of one month's rent to terminate the lease. Has anyone come across this before? Whatever about it being unfair, is it legal?

 

[Persius]

Doesn't make sense to me. Can't see how you could terminate a lease that's already expired. I guess it could be legal if you try to terminate the lease within it's validity - typically 12 months. But after that, assuming no new lease, I believe the terms of the tennancy act determine how you may terminate your rental (thus meaning the penalty would be invalid).