Broke Lease 2 Days after signing - consequences?

[ambien]

What is the name of your state? IL

I notified my landlord 2 days after I signed my lease that I did not want the unit. The lease did not begin for another 20 days. What can be put in my permanent credit file about this incident? The payment on my initial rent check was stopped, but I can still settle with him and still give him money... IF he agrees that he won't damage my credit. However, a few lawyers here told me to stop payment on the check & that he will damage my credit regardless of what kind of agreement is reached about buying out the lease or whatever. Doesn't he need an actual judgement before it can go to collections or even go to my credit rating?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by ambien

Doesn't he need an actual judgement before it can go to collections or even go to my credit rating?

No and no.
I would suggest you contact the landlord in WRITING and try to negotiate a termination of your contract (lease). The landlord has EVERY right to expect you to pay his/her 'damages', the amount that they 'lose' due to your breach. Simply, you are liable for the rent payment until the property re-leases to someone else. If you can't negotiate a settlement, watch the property until someone moves in. Then, knock on their door and see if you can determine their move-in date and rent amount.
Then, contact the landlord and offer to pay your 'daily rent' for the interim.... in return for a written release including a 'no hit' on your credit history.

[ambien]

On the release, what would be the right way to word the fact that there should not be any kind of hit on my credit? Isn't that assumed in the release? Can he sign a release & still report it to the agencies? He hasnt threatened reporting me and is a brand new landlord who bought a tiny building just a month ago, so I just don't want to give him any ideas... and if I do mention it, I want it to be clear that the entire reason I am buying myself out of the lease it because I dont want the hit on my credit. Otherwise, I'd just go to court and pay the gap between now & the day he gets a new tenant (and he might not ever take me to court anyway because of the time & filing fees involved. The lawyers I have talked to said he'll never take me to court.).