Hi all-

I recently breached a 2 year lease after 11 months because I lost my job and had to move out of the state.

I gave my LL plenty of notice and he was able to rerent the property promptly. Unfortunately, I had 13 months remaining on a 2 year lease, and the new tenant was only willing to sign a 12 month lease. Now my landlord wants to hold my entire security deposit for the entire year to insure that he is paid for the final month.

He did not want me to find a new tenant and sublet the property (even though I gave him that option). Instead, he was insistant on finding a new tenant himself. Now, I've never met this new tenant and I will be dependent on the landlord to rerent the place a year from now.

From my research, it seems like my obligations to the LL should have ended once he found a new tenant!. any advice?

Hello AZ:

You are right. When he found a new tenant, you and him were done. If he doesn't send your deposit back, sue him in small claims court.

excon

Once they rented it to someone else, that ended your liablity, they owe you the deposit back.