I'm a first time renter and I moved into my current apt back in June. It's a house with a basement (cellar?) apartment. The landlord seemed nice, if a little distant, and the apartment seemed in decent shape. Paid broker's fee, the first month and security deposit.
A one year lease was signed and I was ready to move in July 1st. After doing a little research, turns out the apartment is probably illegal. I brought it up to the landlord and broker at the time who basically agreed and both stated "yeah, but everyone does it".
The house is on the DOB website listed as a legal 2 family, which there is the first floor and then second floor, and each have their own meter, with my apartment sharing first floor meter. No secondary egress, the apartment is pretty much 75% or more underground, so really it's more a cellar which apparently is illegal to rent. The windows are about 5' high (just under 5"), and only 1.5' x 2.5' in dimension. There is no CO on file as well.
The problem is that the issues of the apartment are becoming more evident the longer I stay here. The landlord, while nice, is sort of ineffectual and doesn't keep up with things. There were arcing electrical switches for the lights, no working outlets in the bathroom, noise issues with other tenants, etc. And I noticed that people seem to come and go here. The landlord just seems to care about getting people in and doesn't particularly screen them thoroughly.
Long story short: I'm basically considering that I may need to move out sooner than later. It's becoming uncomfortable here and potentially unsafe. I would like to get information on if the lease is even enforceable with an illegal apartment, can the landlord sue me or come after me if I decide to leave?
I currently pay in cash, which I understand is not ideal, but I do have him sign a receipt which I keep on record. I also have text messages of him coming to collect rent. I initially payed with zelle quick pay which has record of the initial transaction to the LL and broker.
Is there any guidance, or potential insight I can get to help me with this situation? I would consider speaking with someone like an attorney or city official, so long as it does't cost me an arm or a leg to do.