I have rented an apartment in Massachussets for one year lease on sep 2005. At the time of signing the lease,(till august 2006 $925 rent) the apartment management told me I can break the lease anytime by paying them 2 months notice. But in the lease they just put as 'Tenant is responsible for all lease breakage charges'. I didnt question them at that time because I believed them. On January I have to leave the apartment due to my job transfer. I told them I am willing to pay the 2 months rent as lease breakage but they told me they have changed the rules recently and I have to pay for the rest of the lease terms. They told me they will also try to rerent the apartment. I paid even for Februrary months rent.
But I dont find any sign of them rerenting the apartment and the same managment has a couple of apartments to rent. I have moved to MO state now I am finding really difficult to pay for both the apartments. Is there any fair housing law in Massachussets I can use to get me out of the lease. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

I have been in a similar situation with trying to break our lease. I know that in DE State Code there is a law that states that if your job requires you to move more than 30 miles away then you are able to break your lease with 60 days notice I believe. You would also get back your security deposit. Do read your state code and see if there is something similar. I would assume there is.

Hi, Thanks. I did searched internet for tenant rights in MA, but I didnt come up with any. I am really worried, I need to pay $925 for another 6 more months since I am in the lease. could anybody please guide me how to break the lease.

You may only end the tenancy before the end of the year if the landlord agrees to let you out of the lease.

This is out of Massachusetts code. I know that in most situations verbal agreements as just as good as written ones so you can go to court based on them saying you could get out by just paying 2 months rent which was a verbal agreement and you feel you have fulfilled your obligations.

Thanks for the reply.
Actually I have handed over the keys on Jan 22st and I have paid fully for the month of January. Even I have paid them the rent for February as well.
In this scenario, if I assume the 2 months rent penalty, I have to pay them around approx $625/- as well. According to your suggestion can I send them a mail stating this 2 months rent penalty and ask them how much I owe them back? Will I get the security deposit back according to MA rules?

You may only end the tenancy before the end of the year if the landlord agrees to let you out of the lease.

This is out of Massachusetts code. I know that in most situations verbal agreements as just as good as written ones so you can go to court based on them saying you could get out by just paying 2 months rent which was a verbal agreement and you feel you have fulfilled your obligations.

Yes, I agree. But it all comes down to who is the most believable in court. My suggestion........spend some money on the net. Buy a FEW different services that allow you to look up someones past. Find/document as much dirt as you can on the person before going to court. Then ask them a question thet you know the answer to, when their answer differs - show the documentation. After a few differences, then you can present what was "said" in conversation. THEN and only then, will the judge believe your story over theirs.

If your lease says 2 months is the lease break fee, they should honor that and take them to court to honor that. The lease is in writing. The new policy is not- that is my suggestion. I think you would win, unless there was a signed lease addendum stating the new policy.