Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York

Landlord threatening to sue me & demands money

Have a lease which I'm trying to get out of; told the landlord I was trying to find a new tenant so they don't lose any money. When I found one, they immediately refused to see them, and threatened to sue me and padlock my apartment if I did not pay them immediately, the following morning 3 months rent up front because they ''no longer felt safe'' with me as a tenant. I have never been late; I just want to hand my lease over to someone else.

Question -- what are my remaining options for getting out of this lease? They obviously won't accept any potential tenants in my place; the lease says the landlord cannot unreasonably decline my desire to sublet. Do I have a case?


Asked on 2/10/04, 3:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Stephen Loeb Law Office of Stephen R. Loeb

Re: Landlord threatening to sue me & demands money

You have no obligation to pay them 3 months in advance. If your lease says unreasonableness is the standard, that becomes the issue. You must make certain that any potential subtenant is credit worhty and not a threat to the property. You may have no choice but to face a lawsuit on this one, but as long as you continue to pay your rent in a timely fashion there is little the landlord can do to you as long as your proposed sub-tenant is reasonable.

Should you like to discuss this or any other legal matter, you can call my office to schedule an appointment for a consultation or in the alternative, I can be reached for on-phone low-cost legal consultation at 1-800-275-5336 x0233699.

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Answered on 2/11/04, 10:01 am


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