So we bought a house and are planning to move in a week or so. Our lease ends june 30 and the owner wants to list. However, he wont let us out of the lease because he wants to collect rent up until closing, even though clearly it is easier to sell when the place is not occupied. So i found a family that wants to take over the 4 remaining months but the owner rejected them because they have two small dogs.

I think the owner rejected the applicant because then I still have to pay rent but the place will be empty and easier to show. It is very upsetting.

Is there anything I can do? I almost want to install a security system to prevent him from showing the place after I vacate, but I don't want to have another expense on this place.

Can I shut off the electric and water? The lease says I cant turn off the sprinkler system (presumably because then the grass and plants would die).