responsibility after lease breaking

[kiran]

I had rented an apartment in sunnyvale CA in Feb 2000. The lease period was 1 year i.e (feb 2001) i happened to buy a home in Nov 2000 and hence gave a notice on the 28th of Nov, and paid the rent for the month of Dec. Inspite of paying the lease breaking charges ($250) we have been asked to take the responsibility for the rent till the next tenant moves in or till Feb 2001 which ever first.
I wanted to know if it is a legal obligation which we need to put up with. Does paying the lease breaking penlity not mean getting off the responsibility?
Please enlighten me!!! :-(
(it is tought to pay the rent as well as the mortgage )

 

[HomeGuru]

You are liable for the rent until the property is re-rented.

 

[LL]

I am curious about this "lease-breaking charge".

What exactly does your lease say about this charge and its relation to your having to pay rent for the remiander of the term?

 

[kiran]

Well the lease says that we have leased the property for one year and incase we break the lease we are entitled to pay a penalty of $250. We are also resposible for the rent of the property till the next person moves in or Feb 2001(when our lease is over) which ever first.