[Pabrn]

I had to break my lease agreement in Florida after 10 months because I had to leave the country due to family obligations. Am I still obligatedto pay the remaining 2 months rent?

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

Originally Posted by Pabrn

I had to break my lease agreement in Florida after 10 months because I had to leave the country due to family obligations. Am I still obligatedto pay the remaining 2 months rent?

Hi, yes you are. There was a new Florida law passed in 2008 (I believe) that gives landlords more power in what they can collect from tenants who break the lease. Look in your lease to see if there's a liquidated damages clause for moving out early. You should try to work out a deal with your landlord. If this is a big apartment complex, you probably won't be able to get out of paying, though. Whatever you end up doing, get it in writing.

[Lilybeans]

Of course you are. It's a contract.

[doggiebus]

Op - Yep you are required to pay those 2 months. Unless you can work something different out with the landlord or like the landlord allowing you to sublet to someone else.

[TriMT7]

Yes. Of course, if you've already paid first, last, and security prior to moving in, you could ask the landlord to just let you go now, and not refund your security (usually equal to one month's rent).

You can also see if they'll let you sublet for the last two months.

I had to break a lease early last year because I was buying a house. I helped find the landlord new tenants, however, which saved him and me money!

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

In many states the law says that the LL has a duty to make an effort to look for a new tenant. So if someone broke the lease after one month, the LL can't just let the house sit vacant for 11 months and charge the lease breaker for that period. But in Florida I don't think they have this law. Realistically, collecting 11 months rent from the average tenant who's moved on is going to be very difficult.