6-month renewal on rent stabilized apartment lease? (New York, York: apartments, rent stabilized apartments)

[vincent.motor]

The situation:
-------------
I have been in my current rent-stabilized apartment for almost 2 years since I moved to New York from Maryland.

My lease is expiring at the end of Feb.

There is a possibility that my job will be relocated back to Maryland in August -- but it remains just a possibility until sometime in July.

I informed the situation to my landlord and inquired about whether I could renew the lease for 6 months.

He told me that legally he could only do 1 or 2-year terms. He told me that he would "work with me... such that if I sign on a 1-year lease starting March and have to move by the August, I would lose the 1-month security deposit."

The questions:
--------------
1. Is it true that for rent-stabilized apartment, the lease term can only be one or two-year?
2. Are there some way I could get a 6-month lease, within my rights?
3. Are there other ways I can avoid forfeiting the deposit if indeed I have to sign a 1-year lease? Given that I have informed him well ahead of time (even before the lease renewal is signed?)

Thank you all so much.

[KRISTINsf]

Originally Posted by vincent.motor

The situation:
-------------
I have been in my current rent-stabilized apartment for almost 2 years since I moved to New York from Maryland.

My lease is expiring at the end of Feb.

There is a possibility that my job will be relocated back to Maryland in August -- but it remains just a possibility until sometime in July.

I informed the situation to my landlord and inquired about whether I could renew the lease for 6 months.

He told me that legally he could only do 1 or 2-year terms. He told me that he would "work with me... such that if I sign on a 1-year lease starting March and have to move by the August, I would lose the 1-month security deposit."

The questions:
--------------
1. Is it true that for rent-stabilized apartment, the lease term can only be one or two-year?
2. Are there some way I could get a 6-month lease, within my rights?
3. Are there other ways I can avoid forfeiting the deposit if indeed I have to sign a 1-year lease? Given that I have informed him well ahead of time (even before the lease renewal is signed?)

Thank you all so much.

I don't see how he's 'working with you' if he penalizes you a month's rent. Now if he didn't penalize you, then ok.

How about a month to month lease? That would be better wouldn't it? That is basically a 30 day notice to quit the place. Problem is; he could give you a 30 notice also! Where is the apartment?

[pureistheword]

I think with R.S., he is correct 1 or 2 years leases only.
However he could add a rider with a "30 day out" clause

[saggara]

Originally Posted by vincent.motor

The situation:
-------------
I have been in my current rent-stabilized apartment for almost 2 years since I moved to New York from Maryland.

My lease is expiring at the end of Feb.

There is a possibility that my job will be relocated back to Maryland in August -- but it remains just a possibility until sometime in July.

I informed the situation to my landlord and inquired about whether I could renew the lease for 6 months.

He told me that legally he could only do 1 or 2-year terms. He told me that he would "work with me... such that if I sign on a 1-year lease starting March and have to move by the August, I would lose the 1-month security deposit."

The questions:
--------------
1. Is it true that for rent-stabilized apartment, the lease term can only be one or two-year?
2. Are there some way I could get a 6-month lease, within my rights?
3. Are there other ways I can avoid forfeiting the deposit if indeed I have to sign a 1-year lease? Given that I have informed him well ahead of time (even before the lease renewal is signed?)

Thank you all so much.

Please let me know if you figured out a Solution for the issue. I am going through the same dilemma. Haven't even spoken with the landlord yet but don't think he would agree to even let me stay beyond the expired lease. This is a big Management firm and they may not even agree to let me stay by forfeiting the deposit.

I like the apartment and like to keep it until August, 2011. Lease is expiring in April I think.

Should I atleast try negotiating with the landlord or better Off just ignoring the Lease sent to me in Mail.

[mathjak107]

by law rent stabilized apartments have to be given only 1 or 2 year leases but heck if the landlord agrees in writing to not penalize you for leaving after 6 months thats his choice . to tell you the truth we were thinking of trying to do just that ourselves when we were thinking of retiring and moving. instead of thinking of it as a negative and thinking in terms of the landlord letting you stay past your lease, think of it as a positive for the landlord. you will sign a 1 year lease but allow him to break it early and get a tenant at a higher rate if he wont penalize you.

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by saggara

Please let me know if you figured out a Solution for the issue. I am going through the same dilemma. Haven't even spoken with the landlord yet but don't think he would agree to even let me stay beyond the expired lease. This is a big Management firm and they may not even agree to let me stay by forfeiting the deposit.

I like the apartment and like to keep it until August, 2011. Lease is expiring in April I think.

Should I atleast try negotiating with the landlord or better Off just ignoring the Lease sent to me in Mail.

You could just sign the lease. About a month before the lease is up, you can notify your landlord. A friend of mine just didn't pay the last month rent in order to use of the security deposit (so she wouldn't lose the money).

[Chava61]

Here is an article about what to do if you need to break a lease early:
How to break a lease | BrickUnderground