Hi, since about August of 2005 I'd been living with a friend from High School in a college apartment in Pennsylvania. Our rent was a flat rate for the semester, so we only paid twice a year. We've switched roommates three times, one time was quite a hassel, the other two were ok. But I've graduated and was given an opportunity elsewhere that i had to take. When i looked at the lease to see what my options were... there was nothing. Absolutely nothing about what to do if one of us had to move out mid-lease. I was very disconcerted.
I immediately talked to the landlord and they we're extremely understanding of my situation, told me not to worry about late fees and i said after I started getting paychecks I would try to pay the rent. I will not be getting paychecks until Mid-February. Sadly, she seems to have changed her mind and is demanding the full amount from me now and threatening late fees. I've been reading the lease and reading PA law and discovered that I'm not solely responsible for the full amount of the lease. And ... i'm confused to be honest.
While i've moved to a city where my rent is significantly higher, my priority has to be where i'm currently living and I can't afford to pay both rents at this time. My parents refuse to loan me money again (I actually left for a semester before, that they paid and it ended up costing me a great deal more than you'd imagine). No one i know can lend me money, I have no credit cards and my ability to get a loan in time for my landlord seems to be null... especially since I'll need a co-sign and my parents nor anyone i know is willing to do that.
My roommates, after telling them that there was a possibility that i wouldn't be able to pay or find a replacement (which is a terribly difficult task in that town for a spring semester), threatened to sue. I told the landlord of his threat and she told he couldn't sue me because the lease never states that we each have to pay a third but are all responsible together. so if one can't pay... the others have to pick up the slack. ... do they? could they sue me for the rent? That contract that I'm currently under was finalized when i wasn't even around... and we never really discussed what's owed to what... it was all silent and assumed. In fact, i've barely ever spoken to the third roommate, nor did i really approve him to be there... he sign the lease completely without my consent.
It is... as you can tell, extremely complicated and I'm actually making an offer tomorrow to try and get myself released from this lease (i'm offering one third of the rest of the rent that is currently owed which will include my deposit...). I hope it's enough, I hope I can try to appeal to my landlords sense of humanity and generosity but I doubt that will happen. This has been a terrible ordeal for me and I know this will really strain my relationship with ... well the whole town... which is something i don't want to do, but the landlord's demanding the rent and I have no other options.

