Read your lease agreement. By most standards the landlord can collect FROM YOU at least until they get a new tenant, because s/he relied on your word that you would occupy this dwelling for a set period of time.
If you have to break a lease it's important,necessary and considerate to inform the landlord, who must re-clean and re-advertise. They also need to know from a security standpoint in regards to other tenants and the facility itself, since s/he has an insurance liability that may differ when its occupied vs. unoccupied.
To limit your bad credit exposure, contact the landlord immediately, apologize PROFUSELY and have the matter mediated. You certainly don't want the landlord to consider placing a lien on any of your property.
Realtor, insurance agent, in North Carolina
