So I'm about to be a subtenant in a 2-bedroom that's been sectioned off as part of a large house in Brooklyn (separate entrance and all). The home's owners live there in the rest of the house and communicate with the existing tenant of this 2-bedroom. I've been told they don't want to deal with roommate matters, etc, and that's it's up to Existing Tenant to screen roommates, sign a sublease, give them the rent that I pay to her, pass on any complaints, etc. I will not be signing a lease with the property's owners, rather a sublease Existing Tenant herself.
However what's to keep the home owners from changing the locks tomorrow and declare I don't rightfully live there? Existing Tenant from whom I'm subletting has asked for first, last, and security. How do I know I won't get screwed out of those funds? Is a sublease with Existing Tenant enough? Or should i ask for a copy of the master lease? Do I need the Home Owner to sign something too?