Please hear what I'm going to say in the spirit I'm saying it- fearing for your life.
Strangulation... that's what he attempted... grabbing you around the neck and squeezing. This is something that domestic violence counselors call a "high lethality indicator". It takes 10 seconds of about 4 pounds of pressure across your jugular vein to cause you to lose consciousness. It takes 8lbs of pressure to squeeze the trigger on a gun. 50 seconds more of having the oxygen to your brain cut off, and death becomes almost certain.
He may not mean to kill you... but that doesn't mean he won't. For the sake of your life, please consider going to a domestic violence counselor. They can help you think through the technicalities of the lease and everything. They're good at what they do. Going to one doesn't mean you have to leave. They just help you lay out your options.
Take care... I'm sorry this is happening to you. Life doesn't have to be like this.