I live in Maine and have signed a 1 year lease. My husband and I were able to purchase a home, so obviously we will be moving out. I heard somewhere that once you have fulfilled a 1 year commitment, it doesn't matter if your landlord has you re-sign a lease, you are month to month. I haven't been able to find anything to back that up, so my question is, what are my responsibilities once I break this lease? Does my landlord HAVE to try and re-rent? My husband is prepared to send her a check for the balance of the lease, however, since winter is coming, are we also responsible for making sure the home is heated once we have vacated? Or do we fill our obligation just by paying the rent balance?

Once the lease expires, it can be extended by either signing a new lease or on a month to month basis. If you go month to month the current lease terms continue. If the landlord doesn't allow month you to stay on a month to month basis, then you either have to sign a new lease or move.

If you move prior to the expiration of the lease, you can be held responsible for the balance of the lease, but nothing more. If the landlord rerents the apartment then your obligation should end. The landlord can't double dip.