I'vew dealt with leases in a few countries other than the U.S. and three years is actually a good deal because of the fixed rate. In a couple of cases, I've had to leave before the lease was over and it was fairly easy to negotiate an amount to get out of the lease. Bear in mind that if the economy is good and housing short, the landlord will be able to do better on the rent with a new tenant so sometimes they aren't all that upset.