So,

Was living in a private rental for around 8 months, and it has 4 months left on the lease.

I moved out around 3 months ago, found someone to replace me on the lease, and told the real-estate, who were okay with it.

A former housemate now wants to vacate and has found someone to replace them.

Upon contacting the real-estate to see if they took me off the lease, they said “they didn’t sort it on their end”, and are now refusing to take me off the lease as apparently the landlord said “too many people are applying”, despite finding replacements to take it over, and that the myself and my former housemate will need to pay to break the lease, and cover advertising.

I’m a bit miffed about it, as: 1. I moved out, had a replacement approved by the real-estate months ago, who paid me my bond back and has paid rent since.

1. I have not had correspondence about this, until now, when my housemate told me I was still on the lease (thought I was off it)

2. Am now being forced to be responsible for a property I have no control over.

I have moved back in with my parents, so I have no money owed to the real estate, or they have no financial hold on me, nor do I need a rental referee.

What should I do r/melbourne?