$1500 dollars for breaking my lease early!!!

Sometimes they will let you out early if you can find someone to take your place - perhaps they will reconsider if your friend leases directly instead of subleasing through you.

I specifically asked about that before I moved into my new apartment because the last place I was in did that to me. It turns out most places that I've looked at have a very strict policy about breaking contracts. Is there anyway that you can leave that apartment in your name after you move? Can you do the walk-thru before you leave with the landlord and then let the lease run out? It seems crazy that they wouldn't just approve it since it's only a month.... Oh and welcome to Florida!!!! What part will you be moving to?

Yep. I broke my lease 4 months early when I moved in with DH and paid $1465 - one month's rent on my 1bd/1ba apartment. I did get $1k back from my deposit so it wasn't too bad. When you break a lease and they won't let you sublease, you pretty much just have to suck it up.

I haven't had it happen to me, but my mom is a landlord so I know people it has happened to! She won't let anyone sublet no matter what, so her tenets don't have that option at all. You should recheck your lease, sometimes there is a clause where you don't have to pay the buy up if you give them 30 days notice that you are moving, but instead pay a fee (my moms is one months rent and loss of the deposit I think). She typically just uses her buy out clause if the tenate doesn't give enough notice.

People are always out to get ya. It sux. I can't believe they don't care that you're moving and getting married.

@cew2. My apartment complex told me if I gave them 60 days that wouldn't happen. I did, I moved out and they told me I should expect my deposit check in the mail. I called a month later and they said I owed them the money. They're sneaky!

Before I signed the lease my FH would tell me to make sure it allowed subletting but I did not listen. I did not know he was going to propose! Anywho...I guess I will just have to suck it up Miya.

@Gina, I will be moving to Miami. I'm so excited, but nervous and a little scared too!

Yeah, it absolutely sucks to have to forfeit that kind of money. I wasn't too happy when I had to do it myself because DH and I wanted to save money for the wedding and baby's arrival. In the end, you just take your losses and move on. It's a business though so they're looking out for *their* best interest.

Oh wow! Miami's fun! Don't know if you've ever lived here before but it's pretty awesome!

@Lorena: Ask if you could find someone to sign a full year contract (or whatever their standard minimum is) if then you could break the lease without penalty. If you do the work of finding them a new tenant for a full new lease, they may be more willing to drop their penalties (but if they promise to drop them, get it in writing).

Is there any chance you are getting a job transfer as well? In Texas there are other legal ways to break a lease without paying the reletting fee. If your friend would qualify for an apartment there, they cannot deny him taking over your lease. If income, background check, etc comes back positive- they have very little choice.

I'd consider other options. The complex management won't tell you all your options since moving out hurts them. Job transfers, military deployments, and some change of life status like a marriage or divorce can be reasons to break it.

I'd keep fighting it. Go above your complex management to the corporate office. If you become a pain in the ass- they'll let you out.