My uncle owns an apartment in a coop building. He lives in Connecticut but works in the city two or three days a week, and stays in the coop.
I am a graduate student from out-of-state, and my uncle has graciously been allowing me to stay here for the past school year rent-free.
Just last week the lawyers of the coop board sent my uncle a strongly worded letter telling him that he is in violation of the subleasing article in the contract, and that the "occupant" of the apartment must leave within 30 days or he'll have to forfeit the apartment.
I was under the impression that since I am family it was not a problem for me to stay here, and since there is no money changing hands between us then I am not technically subletting. Besides that, my uncle is here at least two nights a week, and he pays all his fees and taxes on time.
Is there any way to rectify this situation without being evicted? Are we in violation of any landlord, tenant, or housing laws? What are our options here?