My husband, daughter, and I just decided to move to Florida. We signed a 6 month lease that starts Dec 1st on Oct 18th. We want to leave either January or December. I told the LL this past Tuesday (18 days notice) that we wanted to vacate. He told me that we wouldn't get our deposit back, I guess that's OK, but ,also that we're liable for the rent for January if he doesn't rent it out. We were planning to stay for the month of December and pay for the rent.
Is it possible to cancel the 6 month lease if it hasn't started yet? How much notice is a tenant supposed to give if they don't want a new lease?
The LL is an awful man and my husband believes that he doesn't have the "good faith" to even make the effort to rent the apartment and just wants to sue us for the rent for the next 6 months. Is there anyway of knowing for sure that the LL makes that effort?
I'm so confused and stressed out of my mind. Financially we can't afford to pay for January's rent and a record on our credit would be detrimental to us.
Please help.