Agreement interpretations

[John111]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey, Passaic county

Hello

I have notified my landlord that I am leaving in 30 days and I believe that he must return me the deposit. Although he tells that I will not get deposit back and I will have to pay for remaining 6 months (he tells that his lawyer says so). Bellow is the complete agreement text. Please advice who is right.

Thanks

LEASE AND RENTAL AGREEMENT

Address and floor: YYY
Monthly rental: YYY
Landlord: YYY
Address: YYY
Tenant: YYY
Present address: YYY
Number of tenants: Y
Employed by: YYY

Tenancy to begin 7-1-2004 and shall be a year to year tenancy. Tenant agrees that the rent is to be paid on the 1st of each month.

The rent must be paid on 1st on each month. There will be a $5 penalty for each day after 5th of the month. Security is not to be used for rent at any time.

Tenant is not permitted to have a washer or dryer in the apartment, no pets and no satellite dish.

All money paid is to be returned to the tenant if the landlord does not sign this lease and neither tenant nor landlord shall be liable in any way. If lease is signed by landlord, all money paid is refundable. Tenant must give landlord at least 30 days notice prior to leaving above premises or security deposit will not be refunded.
To be paid on signing of the lease.

First month’s rent: YYY
Security deposit: YYY
Total: YYY

Dates and signatures

 

[Who's Liable?]

You are on a year lease from 07-01-04 to 07-01-05, and if you skip out, decide to leave, you will be held responsible for the remainder of the lease. This is a poorly written lease, and was most likely written in haste. The 30 day claim is for when the lease is to terminate, you have to give him 30 days, not just when you feel like it...