I sub-leasesd and apt for three years and am trying to break my contract (apartment)

[Ferima Haidara]

Hello Everyone,

I am a 20 year old musician who locked myself into a 3year sub-lease with the owner of an apartment. I was first asked to find someone to replace me and she'd keep my security deposit. And should i not find someone by august 1st, then i'd be expected to pay August and September rent. These details were all stipulated in an agreement signed by myself and the landlady. Then she called me up and told me that she found someone for the apartment and could I make arrangements to move out by June 5th...I made the arrangements and moved out by June 1st...I purchased storage in my name and am sleeping on the ground at my parents home...the land lady has now contacted me stating that she wants June and July rent because the person she found decided not to follow through...to make matters worse I've already paid June rent on May 29th before I moved out on June 1st...she is threatening to sue me because I refuse to give her July rent...who is at fault here, and what should I do?

[Viralmd]

Hmmm...this isn't straightforward. You might want to consult an attorney, unless you think that the attorney would cost more than the two months' rent she's asking for....

[bmwguydc]

You can find an attorney through various organizations that can tell you if your case has merit, and what to do. Since you left at the landlord's request, however, that changes the dynamic of the situation, so I would talk to a lawyer before paying her another dime. The Bar Association referral service on this page: http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/legal2.html can help you to find an affordable lawyer, and offer an inexpensive consultation service.