Roommate contract/agreement?

[amydonoghue]

I have a rent stabilized studio on the Upper East Side and want to get out of my lease. My landlord has promised renovations, however nothing has been done (since 8/28/02) and they are not pursuing finding a new tenant and still want to hold me to my lease and charge me for renovations. The other person on my lease is no longer in the apartment and I wanted to ask advice on how to keep my lease and get someone into my apartment as a "roommate" - even though I won't be living there. How can I protect myself to ensure that this person will pay rent? Is there a legal way to draw up a roommate contract and how do I do that? Any help is really appreciated!!