Break lease penalty

I recently bought an apt and am planning to move in next month. My current lease ends August. The management company told me i need to pay 2 month rent as penalty no matter how early I notify them of my move. I was told i could get my security deposit 6 weeks after I move out and they don't allow sublease or reassign a lease. I offered to help find a tenant before I move out and cover any vacant days but they said no per their "policy". Looks like they have a broker firm who finds tenants for them and at the current market it shouldn't be difficult. Have I really run out of options here? Are those policies really strictly followed? Thanks for any inputs.