I signed a 6 month lease when I was desperate for an apartment. 4 months later, the other tenants children have broken my bike, the downstairs neighbors are potheads, the landlady is an irresponsible alcoholic. She promised things like that the door would be fixed when we moved in, that she would provide screens for the windows, that she would fix the broken light sockets and so on. She did finally fix the lights and the door last week. My boyfriend and I were offered a much better, cheaper, apartment if we can move in right away. We cannot afford to pay the last months rent- in fact, we can barely afford to pay the rent this month, and defintely can't the last month. We are willing to let her keep the $500 security deposit for this months rent, however, she is so irrational and unreliable, we are afraid she will refuse to let us break the lease and move, or take us to court if we run off. Should we talk to her anyhway? Is there anything we can do, or are we stuck in this horrible place until the lease is up? What's the worst she coud do if we just pack up and go?

Here is my understanding of your problem.

You have a lease that expire the end of November.

You still owe Oct. and Nov. rent.

500 security deposit landlady has.

Can you run away?

Is your rent 500/month?

Landlady might be able to sue you in court for 2 months rent, Oct and Nov. But once she deducts your security deposit, she will sue you only for what, $500?

If you honestly can't stand living there, then leave. If you can hold on one more month, that would be better financially for you.

But, if you honestly do not want to be there anymore, then leave.

Just remember she can sue you for the last 2 months rent (minus the security deposit, assuming you are entitled to get it back)

And when you move out, take pictures of how you leave the place. Because the landlady will probably say you made a mess and destroyed the place. So get proof you are leaving the place in good shape!