Hi, I am new.
I live in Manhattan in a rent stabilized apartment. I am a senior and I have SCRIE.
I also have a problem. It's renewal time. My landlord send copies of the renewal lease on Dec. 23 (yes, Christmas time). I received the package at the beginning of January. The lease is dated by him 11/01/2015. In other words, I wasn't given a chance to respond within the 60 day limits.
For unknown me reasons, I misread the date as 12/01/2015 (didn't feel well) and decided to ignore what I thought backdating by a month (like last time), signed the copies and sent by certified mail on January 18.
Several days later I tracked the package, discovered that package was unclaimed and became upset and active. Two days ago, I sent a fax reminding that a package is waiting for him and I looked at the documents again. I discovered then that backdating was two months. And no action there. Still unclaimed.
Yes, I have the dated envelope and I've made millions of copies.
I know now that I should have requested the correct dating and should have refused signing of the backdated documents. I didn't do this. I now have to decide how to proceed.
More information about the situation. There are some 60 apartments, including approximately 15 rent stabilized at low rent. I am probably one of the youngest old timers, in my sixties, other longtime tenants are usually in their 80s/90s and are dying out. Immediately, after this or that death, an apartment is upgraded/renovated and rented at a "new, improved" sum to university students mostly. I also know that he want to sell the building. And yes, I know that he wants me out.
So, I am pondering the options:
- should I wait for him to act
- should I ask for help now, immediately and whom? Should I ask for help governmental agencies (housing, for the aging, etc.) or non-profit, like MetCouncil, Jewish agencies, etc.
- I know that a lawyer might be the safest choice, but I would like to avoid if possible the expense.
I apologize for my lengthy post and will be very helpful for any advice