consequences of breaking a year lease?

The landlord and all roommates on the lease must agree to allow someone off the lease. Otherwise, you are still responsible for paying on the lease as well as damages until the end of the lease. You can't just leave without their permission and no consequences. You may want to tell the landlord what's going on about the unauthorized occupants and illegal activity. They may decide to kick you all out. That would get you out of the lease, but may not get a good rental reference. It sounds like you all aren't the most responsible tenants anyway if the landlord originally rented to just the 2 of you and now there are at least 4 people living there.

Ask the manager what are the buy out in the lease. But you do have the right to advertise the room for rent and they must pass the credit checks just like you had done. Give everyone a 30 day notice in writing and keep a copy somewhere outside of the apartment. Best of luck

In the case of you 4 I would gladly tell you to get the hell out and don't even worry about the lease. Why because you have hauled in girls who are not paying rent and I could be renting it for the 4 instead of 2 of you.

Reality though you will have to pay the remaining months of the lease

Speak to the landlord and get an agreement if they are willing to, if they agree you would normally lose you deposit as it pays for advertising costs to find a new tenant and you will be responsible for every months rent until they get a new tenant paying rent in your place

Ask the agent/landlord if they will release you = you may incur advertising/admin costs for finding another tenant and you are responsible for the rent until the end of your STA term, be that 6 or 12 months.

You will still ow rent until the lease expires.

You are still responsible for the rent even if you move out

do you see the problem where the landlord allows your girlfriend but perhaps not his...