Yeah, I already talked to the landlord. He's said he'll let me out of the lease only if I pay off the debt on the apt... That would clear me out. No, I have two options:
1) take my new apt., hope for the best but be prepared to have to pay off whatever debt he leaves me when he vacates the apt. at the end of August, i.e. pay for 2 apt. at the same time.
2) stay in the apt., not have my credit ruined, but then also have to pay off whatever debt he leaves. In this situation, I could continue the lease after he's gone and not have to pay moving expenses, etc. but then I'd also have to put up with his occasional drunken freakouts.