OK, when is a binding contract enforceable? The date that it was signed or on the date that is specified on the lease?

I signed/agreed on a rental lease in October 2008 to move into a rental property on 12/15/2008. On the actual lease, the date of 12/15/2008 is listed as the starting of the rental lease. So question here is, if I want to get out of this lease now (before the lease even starts), but I signed it in October, can I get out of this lease before it starts?

Which is the enforceable date according law?

October 2008 when I signed it

OR

12/15/2008

Unless the lease states differently, the lease is legally binding the minute you sign it.

As soon as you signed the lease, it became binding on your to take possession of the unit. The landlord took the unit off the market once you signed.

So what you do is contact the landlord and see if they will release you or offer you a buyout. If they have a waiting list and feel they can find another tenant quickly, they may let you out.

Yep, when you sign the lease it is enforcable at that point unless it specificly states differently