1. Looking for a buyout. Some contracts have a clause that ends your obligations early. Read your contract carefully to see what options you have. If you cannot find your contract, most states require the landlord to provide a copy if requested.
   • A clause is a section of your contract stating that a certain amount of money and with adequate notice may terminate your contract legally. It is often only a portion equivalent to the accumulated income.
2. Search ambiguities. If something is not clear or is marked twice, bingo on your lease. Read and re-read your contract to find the slightest instance of something that is not clear.
   • Some landlords will give you a document that looks like a lease but is actually a monthly lease.
     • The agreement says that the security deposit is not refundable unless you stay for X amount of months. This means that the document is a monthly lease with an illegal provision of deposit (can never be non-refundable).
     • If you indicate that your free month of rent is payable unless you stay for X amount of months. This is also a monthly lease with an illegal attempt to give back to the laws of non-refundable deposits.
     • Unless the agreement indicates an external date that ends or otherwise defined the end of the lease over a period of time, like a year, you probably have a monthly lease.
   • If the contract is your original work on an extension now, you probably have a monthly lease.
   • Search check boxes are checked twice and illegible sections (in both sets of documents).
3. Take advantage of the civil codes. If you make a list of reasonable demands are not met your landlord, you are absolutely right to legally renounce the premises.
   • Write a letter (be sure to keep a copy) stating your demands in a reasonable and thoughtful manner. This is especially for a judge to see it later.
   • If your landlord makes little or no effort to meet your demands, you can bring him to court. He is not fulfilling its part of the contract. Take every week to fulfill the request is not enough; their responsibility should be punctual and organized.
   • Every state in the US varies, you should check to see what landlords must offer in your state.