I met with a person from the management company and signed a rent stabilized preferential rate lease for an apartment in Manhattan.
I gave a $5000 (bankers check) deposit and received a receipt but never received a copy signed by the landlord.
Two weeks later, they want me to sign a new lease, not rent stabilized.
They are saying that since, I don't have a copy signed by landlord, the lease is not binding.
But they took my money!!! They are willing to return it and forget the whole thing, but I want the apartment with the rent stabilized lease.
What can I do. If they refuse to give me a copy of the rent stabilized lease, can I file for a restraining order preventing them to rent the apartment to anyone else?