I've been M2M for about 6 years in my current apartment, where I've lived for 8 years. I think tat not having a lease was mostly laziness on the part of my LLs. I'm planning to move this fall, and was going to give them 2-3 months notice, but they must have gotten wind of it and suddenly presented me with a year long lease. I told them I was leaving and asked if we could continue month to month. They said they were concerned that between October and February they would have trouble renting the apartment. I doubt that's true - it's a 2 br in a highly desirable Brooklyn neighborhood. They agreed to a 7 month lease, taking us to the end of January. They said they were fine with me breaking it as long as they have another tenant ready to move in.
Is there any downside for me in signing this? If I need to move before January (likely but not definite) I'm sure we can find someone willing to move in. I also figure I could just break the lease and let them deal with it - If they were too lazy to give me a lease for 6 years they're probably too lazy to take me to housing court.
I'd like to hear people's thoughts about this. Thanks.