Timeshares work well for a lot of owners, but plans change. Maybe you travel less, your budget is tighter, or the yearly fees no longer make sense for how you use it. Whatever the reason, you can legally get out of a timeshare or vacation club contract. The safest ways take a little more effort than a quick fix, and some “quick fixes” can cost you money or hurt your credit. Below, we’ll walk through every legitimate timeshare exit option, how to choose the right one, and what to avoid, so you can say goodbye to your timeshare without ruining your credit.
- Before You Decide: Do You Need to Get Out?
- Timeshare Exit Options at a Glance
- Check Your Contract and State Rules First
- Just Bought a Timeshare? Cancel During the Rescission Period
- Ask Your Developer About Exit, Deed-Back, and Hardship Programs
- Sell Your Timeshare on the Resale Market
- Transfer Your Timeshare to a Family Member or Friend
- Can You Just Stop Paying or Walk Away?
- Watch Out for Timeshare Exit Companies
- Getting Out of a Timeshare: FAQs
- Ready to Move On From Your Timeshare?
Before You Decide: Do You Need to Get Out?
Sometimes the problem isn’t owning a timeshare; it’s how you’re using it. Before you exit, check whether one of these fixes the issue:
- Tired of the same resort? Many vacation clubs use points, so you can book other resorts in the brand’s collection instead of returning to your home resort. If your resort is affiliated with an exchange company like RCI or Interval International, you may be able to trade your week or points for a stay somewhere new. Learn how vacation exchange works.
- Can’t travel this year? Renting out your week or points can help cover that year’s maintenance fees while you decide. Advertise your timeshare for rent.
If the fees, the travel, or the commitment no longer fit your life, keep reading.
Timeshare Exit Options at a Glance
There’s no single best timeshare exit strategy. The right one depends on how recently you bought, whether you still owe on a loan, and what your developer offers. Use this table to see where to start.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rescission (cancel) | Owners who just signed | The window is short, usually days; follow your contract exactly |
| Developer exit or deed-back program | Owners whose timeshare is paid off and fees are current | Not every developer offers one; eligibility varies |
| Hardship options | Owners facing illness, job loss, or other major changes | Ask owner services; reviewed case by case |
| Sell on the resale market | Owners who want to end their fees | Resale prices are generally well below what you paid; selling takes time |
| Transfer to family or a friend | Someone you know wants it and agrees to the fees | Needs a proper deed transfer |
| Rent it out | Owners who aren’t sure yet | Helps offset fees; you still own it |
Whichever you choose, keep paying your maintenance fees and any loan until your ownership officially ends.
Check Your Contract and State Rules First
Before you call anyone, pull out your contract. It tells you:
- Whether you own a deed or a right-to-use contract, and when a right-to-use contract ends
- Whether you still owe on a loan
- Your developer’s rules for transfers and resales, including any right of first refusal
State law matters too: rescission windows and some transfer rules vary by state. And until your ownership has officially ended in writing, keep paying your maintenance fees and any loan payments.
Just Bought a Timeshare? Cancel During the Rescission Period
If you recently signed, you may be able to cancel. The rescission period is a short window after purchase when you can cancel the contract for a refund. It usually lasts a matter of days, and the exact length depends on your state and your contract.
To cancel:
- Find the cancellation instructions in your contract.
- Send your notice exactly as described, often in writing, before the deadline.
- Keep proof of when you sent it.
If the window has closed, the options below still apply.
Ask Your Developer About Exit, Deed-Back, and Hardship Programs
Your developer is the first call to make, and the FTC recommends starting there too. Many major brands now have formal ways to help owners leave. Call owner services and ask:
- Do you have an exit or deed-back program? A deed-back lets eligible owners return the timeshare to the developer, which ends future fees. Many programs require the timeshare to be paid off and the account to be current.
- Do you offer hardship options? Some developers review cases of illness, job loss, or other major changes one by one.
- Would you take back or buy back my ownership? Some developers will, depending on your contract.
Get any agreement in writing, and keep paying until it’s final.
What Is a Responsible Timeshare Exit?
ARDA, the timeshare industry’s trade association, runs the Coalition for Responsible Exit. Its site, ResponsibleExit.com, lists participating developers’ exit options and featured resellers, so you can see what your brand offers. Timeshares Only is a Featured Reseller for ARDA’s Coalition for Responsible Exit. Learn more about ARDA.
Not sure which exit option fits? Call 1-855-291-6327 to talk with one of our representatives about selling or renting out your timeshare.
Sell Your Timeshare on the Resale Market
Selling transfers your deed and your maintenance fees to a new owner, and it’s an option whether or not your developer has an exit program. On the resale market, you set your asking price and choose which offer to accept.
Keep your expectations realistic. Timeshares aren’t an investment, and resale prices are generally well below what owners first paid. For most sellers, the goal is to end ongoing costs, not to get their money back.
How it works with Timeshares Only:
- Gather your ownership details: resort or vacation club, week or points, unit size, and your latest maintenance fee bill.
- We advertise your timeshare for sale, and you set the asking price.
- When you accept an offer, our Recommended Resale Brokerage, Fidelity Real Estate, can handle the closing, which transfers the deed out of your name. Some developers have a right of first refusal, which lets them buy it on the same terms first.
Already paid off? Read how to sell a timeshare that is paid off, or learn how selling works.
Transfer Your Timeshare to a Family Member or Friend
If someone you know would love to use your timeshare, you can transfer it to them. The maintenance fees go with it, so make sure they understand the yearly cost and agree before you start. A transfer needs a new deed and the right paperwork, and some developers have their own transfer rules. Read more about passing on your timeshare and deed changes and title services.
Can You Just Stop Paying or Walk Away?
Stopping payments isn’t a crime, but it isn’t a way out either. You still own the timeshare, and unpaid fees or loan payments can lead to late fees, collections, credit damage, foreclosure, and, in some cases, a lawsuit. Keep paying until your ownership officially ends. For the full picture, read what happens if you stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees.
Watch Out for Timeshare Exit Companies
“Timeshare exit” is also the name of an industry: companies that promise to cancel your contract for a fee. Some are outright scams, and the FTC has taken action against exit companies that charged large fees and didn’t deliver. Be careful with any company that:
- Charges a large upfront fee to “cancel” your contract
- Tells you to stop paying your maintenance fees or loan while it works on your case
- Offers a “money-back guarantee” with conditions in the fine print, or counts a foreclosure as a successful exit
- Pressures you to sign quickly, or won’t put its promises in writing
Before you hire anyone, call your developer first. Learn more in timeshare exit scams all owners need to know, timeshare cancellation companies, and timeshare cancellation vs. resale.
Curious what your timeshare could sell for? See what similar ownerships are advertised for with What Is My Timeshare Worth?
Getting Out of a Timeshare: FAQs
Ready to Move On From Your Timeshare?
If selling is the right exit for you, Timeshares Only can help. We’ve helped owners advertise their timeshares for 30+ years and are a Featured Reseller for ARDA’s Coalition for Responsible Exit. Sell your timeshare, or rent it out while you decide. Questions? Call 1-855-291-6327 or email [email protected].
Related guides: What Happens if You Stop Paying Your Timeshare Maintenance Fees · Timeshare Deed-Back Programs · How to Sell a Timeshare That is Paid Off · Timeshare Exit Scams All Owners Need to Know · What is My Timeshare Worth?
