Squatters and lease Brakes

[Coby Federowski]

I was called by a friend about a realestate question and I was wondering if you guys had some insight on it.

Essentially my friend had a lease with her boyfriend. Both their names were on the lease. She broke up with him 3 months ago and has been paying for the rent and utilities by herself because he's now bipolar, lost his job and probably on drugs she says. She had signed a new lease 2 months ago to stay in the apartment once his name was off the lease and explained at the time why she alone was renewing the lease. The old lease expired today and the new should start today with just her name on it. Today she told called to tell me that because her boyfriend never signed the lease over he is now not leaving until 60 days or maybe August 31st. Her land lords told her he is within his legal rights to stay there and nothing can be done to remove him until 60 days are up.

What I dont know is if she is technically liable for the "new" lease that she signed 2 months ago. Since she is essentially liken to a new tenant that signed for the coming available space by herself, can the landlords hold her accountable for breaking her lease to a property that now has a squatter in it? Would she have to pay to break the lease? What are her rights as the leasee if she signed for a new lease but now won't be able to live there for another 60 days? Can she back out without $'s lost or a hit to her credit?