Lack of income is a valid reason to break a lease without paying for the notice term. At that point it’s more the fault of the landlord who decided it was a good idea to rent to someone for whom the rent is 80% of their income.

1. Just this point makes me think she’s lying. No landlord, at least where I am, rents to anyone for whom the rent is more than 40% of their income. This also seems to be the standard across the country.