[muggs]

If you definitely plan to move in the spring, check your local eviction regulations. Possibly you can stop paying the rent now, and it may take months for them to legally evict you.

This is a terrible idea. Evictions are legal actions. Withholding rent, at least in Ohio, for any reason without placing the rent into an escrow account with the court, will result in eviction. The landlord will then ask the court to award damages. The judgment will show on a credit report and will more than likely prevent him from renting in the future.

Call the court house that handles evictions in your area and ask about placing your rent into escrow.

[NEMDF]

Note that I prefaced the response by sayign to check the local regulations.