I am over half-way through a 1-year contract renting a 2-bed apartment.

 

My family have returned home for children's education reasons, and I want to terminate this contract to move into a smaller place, to save money.

 

The current houseing agent does not have anything suitable or in the price range I require to move to.

 

My contract states that I can only terminate the contract before the year is up if I show written proof I am cancelling residency in Qatar.

 

It also states that if I terminate under this condition, I will forfeit my deposit.

 

They have told me verbally that if I quit the apartment, and do not take another property with them, I will have to continue paying the rent on the vacated property until the agrenment ends.

 

If I just quit and go with another agency to rent another place, even if I lose my deposit, what can they do to me?