How can I legally terminate a lease?

I really don't have any problems at my current apartment, but I would like to move from off-campus housing onto on-campus housing at my university.

Serious answers only, and please provide links if you can.
Additional Details
I am aware that there may be a financial penalty; is there any way to terminate a lease without penalty?

Read your contract. There is an out clause, it will probably cost you anywhere between $100 and $800 to terminate your lease, depending on where you live and what your rent costs. Talk to your landlord and he will let you know about his expectations.

Well, the first thing you would do is simply ask your landlord. Sometimes they will be willing to let you out of the lease. Look at your lease, and check to see if there is a written clause about exceptions on moving out. Sometimes they will allow you to do it if you forfeit your deposit. Your chances will also greatly increase if your find a new tenant for your landlord, so when you move out, the landlord will not lose any money.

If you signed a contract saying you will pay for x number of months and the landlord did not violate any of *his* obligations then you are stuck with it, unless he agrees to let you off the hook. Which he might agree to, especially if another tenant wants the place and he can charge more.

Depends on the landlord tenant law in your state. Typically if you are not having any issues you cannot terminate the lease without some financial penalty,.

You could try talking to the landlord and see if you can work something out. Your lease will state any penalties for breaking the lease early. Special circumstances would be if the unit is not habitable, if management is unresponsive to repair requests, or criminally negligent, or other extraordinary circumstances which it doesn't sound like you have. They will take you to court and then you will have to convince the judge you had a good reason to move out.

You can not "legally" terminate a lease. You can "illegally" terminate a lease by paying penalties outlined in the lease....or outlined in your state laws.

You're just going to have to give them a month notice, and you will get penalized. I don't think you can get out of your lease legally without there being a reason.

There are only 2 ways to legally terminate a lease without penalty:
1. Military orders
2. The apartment is deemed unhabitable

Neither apply to you.

You cannot legally terminate a lease unilaterally. You are at the landlord's mercy.

The landlord does not have to let you out of the lease without it costing you $$$.

You have three choices in this situation:

1. Offer to pay to advertise the rental. Offer to have the rental in show worthy condition and allow showings as often as needed in order to get a replacement tenant. Offer to stay until the replacement tenant can move in. This way, the landlord suffers no loss of rent, you are not paying for a place in which you do not live and all you are out is the advertising costs. Your credit and rental histories will not be affected.

2. Negotiate a lease buyout with the landlord. Start by offering the amount equal to 2 months rent. The landlord may require another month. If you come to an agreement, get it in writing. This way your liabilities end with the lump sum payment. Your rental and credit histories will not be affected.

3. Move out without any agreement. The landlord can hold you liable for the rent until either the lease expires or a replacement tenant is found. The landlord can hold you liable for any costs he incurs due to your breach, such as advertising costs, agent fees, etc.

If you do not pay the amounts above, the landlord can sue you. The judgment will include not only the costs mentioned, but court costs and accrued interest until the judgment is paid.

Your rental and credit histories will be ruined. The judgment can be renewed for up to 20 years and the landlord can garnish wages or bank accounts, place liens on (future) personal property, etc.

Future landlords will deny renting to you due to the unpaid judgment. Many employers check credit, so you can be scrutinized for having the open judgment against you. Insurance companies and other creditors pull credit and adjust your rates dependant on your credit, so you will be paying higher rates for many years.

You cannot sublet unless the landlord gives you permission to do so.

Subletting can be a bad idea, because you are essentially the subtenants landlord and remain liable to your landlord for the entire lease term. If your subtenant fails to pay rent, damage the place or default in some other way, you are responsible to evict them. You are still responsible to pay your landlord any rent or damages owed. You then have to sue your subtenant to collect from them.

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