BREAKING A LEASE

[aliblack]

I recently broke a 12 month lease and my landlord said that I had to continue paying rent through the 60-day written notice. However, upon re-reading the lease it does not state that I must give 60-days written notice. It simply says that there is a fee of $500 for breaking the lease and if the landlord must forego rent because of the break than the renter would lose the security deposit. How should I handle this problem and get my 2 months rent back? Is holding onto the keys illegal?

[tiredsecy]

Did you talk to the landlord? Helpfully alert him to this and give him a check for $500 along with the keys. As long as you hold on to the keys, it'll be as if you're still living there; hence you will continue to pay rent.