Just be thankful you're breaking a residential lease and not a commercial lease. The penalties can be extreme, often landlords have been shafted in the past so then in the future make it ever so much more difficult for the new tenant. I know with our commercial leases we now require bank guarantees up to $30,000. If the tenant breaks the lease they immediately lose $30,000, and any damage or losses are extra. Obviously if the tenant pays on time and carries out their obligations of the contract then theres no problem.
Residential tenants have it easy in comparison and in most cases if the tenant does the right thing then there should be no problem either. However breaking a lease is not good so you cannot blame the landlord ( via the property manager) being upset.
Unfortunately if you break a lease because you are buying a property yourself you cannot expect much sympathy from the landlord. Was the rent up to date when you mention that the bond could be used to pay the rent owing.
I know when I've had residential leases broken I've requested the agent charge an extra weeks rent to cover the agents fee to find a new tenant.
Agents charge the first weeks rent for finding a tenant. I note that you have paid that.
It sounds like you have been reasonable, so I'm surprised that the landlord ( property manager ) would bother taking it further.
