I recently subleted a room in a NYC apartment. My name is not on the master lease; I only have a 1-page sublet lease doc w the roommate who is the formally named lessee.
After paying my 3mo security deposit and monthly rent, I discovered said roommate has been pocketing all my payments for himself and seriously delinquent on the lease, by a very large dollar amount. I have reason to suspect he has no intentions of remaining in the unit long term and his strategy is to coast it out however long he can until the day before a sheriff shows up.
I am not aware of any eviction proceedings underway. No notices/visits/indications of such in the past 2 months. But clearly if the master balance remains unpaid it's only inevitable.
I have not approached him regarding this b/c I don't want to create any undue heat as of yet.
What should I do? Since I'm an off-the-radar subletter, the original landlord doesn't even know my name - so can I even be served with an eviction notice/will it apply to me if it gets to that point?
Should I continue making rent payments or cease on condition of moving out w/ the 1st/last month paid in the security deposit?
Note: Understood nothing to be construed as formal legal advice. Just want informed legal opinions; will seek advice of counsel if necessary.
Thanks