signed on for 2 years, can i break my lease?

[mbfinger]

i originally signed a lease for two years. at the time i thought the rent would go up over the year so i secured the rate. after 9/11 all the apartments in my line have gone down in price except for mine because of my 2 year lease? is there a way to break the lease or have my rent lowered?

[TenantNet]

Unless it's in the lease, the tenant is probably not liable for costs of re-renting (advertising, etc.) or fix-ups (painting, etc., which is normal maintenance). Courts are split on the LL's effort to re-rent ("mitigation of economic damages"), but generally we've seen a good-faith effort being required.