According to the terms of my original lease, I received May 2008 free. I renewed for a higher rent, but there is no mention of the terms of the original lease changing. The LL tried to charge me for May 2009, and I wrote (certified mail/send receipt) to them telling them that they were not supposed to charge me, etc. They called me, said they disagreed, that because the clause in the original lease re: May free rent says "this year", referring to the year 2008, that the clause did not renew.
This seems contrary to the definition of a renewal, and unlawful, but I'm not sure and am looking for any info to help.
There also is no way for me to formally request/complain.....plenty for rent stabilized/regulated tenants and landlords, but there seem to be no resources for me to request arbitration either.
Any ideas? Am I nuts? (Live in NYC....)
Thanks!