To provide a relay apparatus for relay communication between a wireless base station and a communication terminal, the relay apparatus including: a relay function management switch for switching from on to off a relay function for relaying communications between the wireless base station and the communication terminal based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition; and a signal transmitter for transmitting, to the communication terminal, establishing a wireless communication connection with the relay apparatus, a signal to execute handover to a handover destination which is identified before the predetermined condition has been satisfied if the predetermined condition has been satisfied.