I haven't leased in a while but when I did it was normal for them to charge you for breaking it, and then continue to charge rent until they re-lease the unit. Because you were going to pay them for 12 months and every month the unit is empty they are losing the much cash that you had agreed to lease for.LucasMcCain wrote:The only advice I have that I haven't seen someone else give is to check your lease carefully. I've lived in a lot of apartments, and most of them would require an extra month's rent if breaking the lease, but not the rest of the year's rent. Many apartment complexes offer the first month free, or very cheap, so there would be little cost to move in to the new place. Also, regardless of what the lease says, if you go talk to the apartment manager, they may work with you to get you out of there sooner, just make sure if the first person you talk to can't help you, you ask for the actual complex manager. They have more leeway than just the normal office people. You don't have to narc on your roommates, you can just say that you aren't getting along and you've decided to get your own place. Many times, just being super extra polite and friendly can go a long way with apartment management.
From someone who spent many years living in apartments with roommates, all of whom were less responsible than me, I can tell you that you will be happier living by yourself. As soon as you get your own apartment, you will find yourself asking why you waited so long to do so. All that said, you have my sympathy for your situation. May you get out of it cleanly, regardless of what you decide to do. Hope this helps.
I can see it being a difficult situation for the OP, but not impossible. I do hope that you won't be scared off by the tough love/bad news that is coming from this thread. It is a difficult situation that you are in, I won't discount that one bit. But, I do believe that it's in your best interest in the long term to find a way out in the short term.
All it takes is one noise complaint on a Saturday night when they are smoking out on the balcony and you're screwed to the proverbial wall.