In one case in the East 60's, the tenant was breaking his lease and helping find his replacement.

I understand that under such circumstances tenants can break leases without penalty.

For example, when tenants break the lease, they are liable for rent lost by the landlord.

"The tenants who were going to go broke already have, and everything seems pretty stable right now," he said.

If a tenant broke this rule he would be in violation of the lease but not of any city ordinance or code.

For example, Mr. Perez said, one tenant has broken his apartment lock three times.

I have refused to return the rent and security deposit on the ground that the tenants had broken the lease.

The law also permits eligible tenants to break their leases if they move in with a family member for medical reasons.

One was from a landlord whose tenant had set her apartment on fire and was breaking through the walls with an ax.

When a nonregulated tenant breaks a lease, however, things can be different.