Breaking Lease Early

[ellie1202]

My question involves a roommate in the State of: Virginia

My roommate and I used to be friends, however recently our relationship has taken a turn for the worse. We are no longer speaking and things at home are very hostile. I have tried talking to her about this, however nothing is making the situation better. Take in to account that we are both working adults (both 27) so we should be able to deal with this in a civil manner.

I would like to find someone to take over my part of the lease. I have received permission from our leasing office to do this. We simply have to bring the person in and have them apply and then sign a new lease. Which my roommate also has to sign. She has stated she will not sign a lease with a new roommate and also does not want to move out.

What are my legal options here? Can she truly keep me from finding a replacement?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You're on the hook to your landlord until the lease ends.

If you find somebody willing to move in, who is a reasonable substitute roommate, but your current roommate says "no" to her taking over the balance of the lease without any reasonable basis for that refusal, you can attempt to recover your continuing rent obligation from her through small claims court. You could also stop paying rent, but as it stands, if she doesn't then pay the entire amount due herself, the landlord would evict both of you and you would both end up with a black mark on your credit history and possibly also an eviction judgment that would make it really difficult to rent from any landlord who performs a credit check.