In a word, no. A verbal lease is not legally binding and the landlord can, in fact, charge the tenant for the entire month of rent even if the tenant never actually paid it.

I'm not a lawyer, but here's some general advice based on my understanding: 1. Verbal Lease: Verbal leases can be legally binding and enforceable in many jurisdictions. The terms can be more difficult to prove in court without a written agreement, but they can still hold legal weight. 2. Last Month Rent: In some areas, it's common for the landlord to collect the last month's rent upfront, but this should have been clarified at the beginning of your agreement. If you never agreed to this, it might not be enforceable. 3. Lease Termination: If you notified your roommate officially that you were breaking the lease as of September 8th and provided enough of a notice period (which again, would vary based on the location and the terms you agreed to verbally), you may have fulfilled your obligation and September's rent could be your last payment. In general, I would recommend reaching out to a lawyer or a local tenant rights organization to get advice specific to your location and circumstance, especially if your friend continues to insist that you owe extra rent. Make sure to keep any documentation or evidence of the payments you've made and the notices you've given about breaking the lease. Also, it's important to remember that in the future formalizing your living arrangements with a written agreement, even when you're renting from a friend, could help you both avoid these sorts of issues. Again, this advice doesn't replace legal advice, and it's important to speak with a professional, such as a lawyer or broker, to understand your rights and obligations better under your local landlord and tenant law.