What a nightmare. 9 weeks ago, LL asked us to move out of our brand new Brooklyn rental unit just weeks after we moved in. Temporarily, it was due to a permit issue with DoB. He apologized, offered to pay our moving expenses (both out & back in) and helped us temporarily lease one of his other properties (a company with +/- 10 apartment buildings).
We moved out, had him add this clause to the temporary lease :
Landlord shall notify Tenant as soon as the Apartment at XXX becomes available. At that date, Tenant shall have the right to terminate this lease and take possession of the Apartment at XXX on the pre-negotiated terms as outlined in the lease agreement signed by both parties on October 7th, 2019. "
We have been waiting for the message to move back ever since. Inquired every other week but kept hearing “be patient, we will update you as soon as we know something”.
SHOCKER: just found out that the property was sold a few weeks back, and that the new LL is not aware of our existence, nor is he willing to honor our lease agreement. Good news is, they have not rented out “our” apartment yet. Bad news is, they have significantly increased the price and refuse to take the listing offline.
Do I sign a new lease at a much higher rate? Or do I fight? Where do I stand legally, where do I go for help? Should I lawyer up, how much is that going to cost me?