Hi all! So I’m a renter in FL. Lease ends Aug. 30. I am closing on a home July 9 and will be out of the home by end of July. If I move out and tell my landlord close to end of July I won’t be renewing my lease, will I be completely screwed if I don’t pay August rent and tell him keep my security deposit as rent? Also, my lease says I am responsible for 2 months rent rest of month rent if I do terminate early so if I do move out end of July will I owe 2 months even though the lease is set to end August 30?

I don’t trust the guy to return my deposit and if I do finish the lease and pay him my $3k/month rent for August I don’t trust him to pay me my security deposit back…He kept the deposit of the former tenants I found out too…he has been completely unreasonable about repairs and repair costs and replacing my losses with his broken refrigerator (refrigerator is listed as part of the lease).

I want to come out square and fair with him. I’m not trying to screw the landlord over, but I don’t trust him to pay me the same courtesy unfortunately… And if I go the route where I don’t pay August and let him keep my $3k deposit could he make up damages, and charge me 2 months for early termination, and threaten to sue me?

Thank you so much for any advice!