Tenant Here - Lease Question

[Michael Campbell]

I recently signed into a 2 year lease for an apartment (mistake), and I already know that I don't want to stay here for two years. My landlord told me that this is basically a standard PA lease agreement.

What happens if I want to get out of the lease? Worst case, he keeps my security deposit?

[Dave Lamattina]

I have been a landlord for over 7 years. People break their lease all the time. They are only responsible for rest of lease term if I have made "considerable effort" to rerent and have not found replacement. Then I have to take to court and chase what is owed. I have never attempted this. Your landlord may threaten you but with a 30 day written notice you should be fine. I now have a clause that says if they break the lease early, they forgo the last month rent already paid and just pay the last month (I get to keep an extra month's rent). This seems to work so far.