I have a friend who was living in a rent controlled apartment in which his cousin was the tenant of record. The tenant of record died about a year ago. He applied to DHCR for succession rights but was denied. He was denied on appeal as well. Meanwhile the landlord took a few months rent but then my friend stopped paying and has not paid for about 2 months. The landlord wants him out. He just served my friend with a 30 day notice.
Is there anything he can do? Is he considered a "month to month" tenant or a squatter? Does he have any defenses? Wasn't the landlord supposed to serve him with a 10 day notice to quit instead?