Getting out of rental property early legal rights? Landlord is trying to charge, help!?

When you sign a lease you enter into a legal contract. To get out of that contract you need pretty strong reasons. He was making sure you were telling the truth. There is a cost to him - lost rent - and it's really not his problem that your partner had to leave to take care of a friend. You will have to pay the 250, as legally you don't have a leg to stand on.