In early 1981, I signed (but did not date) a rent-stabilized lease. Landlord never returned a countersigned copy that was witnessed and dated.
Now Landlord has started an eviction suit. I am demanding a jury trial. Landlord has opposed by citing a jury-waiver clause in the lease. As evidence, Landlord submitted photocopies of the lease -- which clearly shows that he neither signed, dated, nor had it witnessed.
Is that lease valid? If not, am I correct in assuming the jury-waiver clause never went into effect due to Landlord's negligence?
Would appreciate not only your thoughts but also legal citations in New York State Landlord-Tenant or Contract Law.
Many thanks.