Need to break lease for Medical Reasons

[<ExChicoRenter>]

I signed a year lease while living in Chico, CA after relocating for a job there. My fiance was diagnosed with a life threatening illness that requires constant monitering by her doctors. Her insurance is through Kaiser in Sacramento, and does not cover any hospitals in Chico. From November to March, we drove to Sacramento two to four times a week to take care of her office visits and lab work etc. Finally enough was enough. At the beginning of Febuary we gave notice to our landlord that we intended to break our lease, and will be completely out by March 31st. The house is still not rented, she has only shown the property 4 times, and has just started running an ad in the paper (after a lapse) after we threatened to withhold rent. Is there some kind of provision that allows us to break the lease due to life threatening illness?

[<BB>]

Even with medical reasons, it would seem your LL is under no obligation to break your lease. From what I've read, as long as the apt. is in good condition, the LL does not have to break the lease. Court wise though, it seems your LL has to make an effort to mitigate the length of time the apt is empty. The prevailing opinion seems to be that a) you sublet the apt. for the remainder of your lease or
b) you find a suitable new tenant for the LL.
I added some links that may help you...
Best of Luck!
http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/
http://www.caltenantlaw.com/Res-Law.htm
Even With a Good Reason, Landlords Don't Have to Break a Lease 1996
http://www.retodayradio.com/RR-96-11-10.htm

NOLO: Break Your Lease Without Breaking the Law
http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/product.cfm/ObjectID/D66F01D8-750C-4103-A553F46A4F85CD0E