Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York

I have been renting an apartment for about 3 months now in a major prime area in an upscale town. 2 months ago I had told the landlord that I could no longer live here due to traveling for work, she agreed to let me break the lease as long as she can find someone to fill the apartment. She has had almost 2 months to find someone and has had PLENTY of people look at the unit with noone taking any interest. The place has a "work in progress" look. It is unfiinished in many areas of the apartment and the hard wood floors are trashed. I had suggested that she make more effort to make it more appealing and she claims that she has rented it in worse condition and blames the lack of interest on bad timing of the year. She has had many people look at the unit so i fail to see how it is due to bad timing. She had asked me twice if someone were interested could i be out within a week. I took that as interest, so i already have another place to live closer to where I work. She now tells me that I need to stay in the unit and uphold the lease.

I understand it is a lease, but she agreed to let me out as long as she can rent it. It is not my fault though that she makes no effort to make the place more appealing and finish the remodeling job she started, especially after having many people look at the unit with interest. She may never find anyone interested within a few more months because of this, so her lack of effort is placing a burdon on both of us. I have seen other units in town for the same price range that were move in ready or completely remodeled.

I understand she may sue me but do I have a defense at all with pictures taken of the unfinished unit?

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