lease break

Preface: assuming this lease is market rate given that tenant desires to leave earlier than the lease term allows.

A lease is ending and not being renewed does not constitute an eviction. If the tenant hangs on after the lease and does not continue to pay rent, then they are a holdover and may be evicted.

Sounds like this tenant wants out early without cause and should negotiate with their landlord.

@LocanutNYC Don't you know there are federal and state/city laws protecting tenants now? What penalty? You should stop paying rent immediately (if not earlier) and just leave when you feel it is the right time. If the management want to evict you, welcome and they need to spend months in court.

I would talk to the landlord. They might be thrilled to get the apartment earlier.