Tenant wants to move out now & break the lease, help please!

[Amy Martin]

Hi seasoned landlords! 

I have a question for you guys - my tenant told me yesterday that even though the lease doesn't expire until the last day of April, he's signed a new lease somewhere else and is moving out by March 11th. He sent me a text message asking if it's okay for him to break the lease so he doesn't have to pay April rent, because he's paying child support and low on money. 

I told him it's not okay because April 30 is when the lease ends. I also told him that he and I signed a contract, so not paying April rent is a breach of contract. He said he understands, but I'm not positive he will actually pay it. 

The tenants have made the wall dirty and painted the walls weird colors like purple, pink, etc. I have informed him several times (as it is stated in the lease agreement) that he will need to paint the walls back to its original color. 

So my question is - Do I have any way to make sure I can get April rent before he disappears? (Assuming the tenant will leave my property without cleaning up or painting the walls, I will have to spend money to get the place fixed up, which will come out of the security deposit). 

Thanks!

Amy