Hi,
I would like to know what my rights are for the following issue:
A year ago, I moved into an apartment in NYC, the person who rented the apartment to me, was the primary tenant, and told me this would be an illegal sublet right off the bat. After moving in, I find out that the original tenant, who's name is on the lease is paying $1200, and I am paying $1500. Talking to other tenants in the building, I find out that some are paying as much as $2000. The problem is that now, the original tenant wants to charge me even more rent.
What I want to know is what my rights are? Is there any way that I can take over the apartment? The original tenant is living permanently in Queens in a house het bought, and I am getting the impression that he wants to hold onto the apartment and use the cash as extra income.
I also don't know if this apartment is rent controlled/stabilized. When I first talked to him, he said he has been on the lease since 1990, and back then he was paying around $900.
Basically, I don't know where to start, I want to hold onto this apartment, but don't know if I should talk to the landlord, or the lawyer, and if I even have any legal right to take over this apartment as the primary tenant.
thanks,
Dave