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Posted by Mary on July 12, 1999 at 15:26:46:

I'm looking for some advice. June 1st my 3 housemates and I signed a lease
for a 4 bedroom apartment in Rochester, NY. Two weeks later the landlord told
us that he was being relocated and was selling the house - at the time he
assured us that our 12 month lease would hold. After only a month in the house
he informed us that he was accepting an offer that was contingent on the new
owners being able to move into our apartment at time of closing. He offered us
half of August's rent off ($400) to break the lease. He informed us that if
we didn't take it he would go to his lawyers who told him that they could get us
out in a matter of months. Our lease has no termination clause and states that
if either the owners or the tenants change the lease is still binding. Because
this is a big mess that none of us has time for, we are willing to leave, but
we would like fair compensation. We gave our counter-offer of 1)the rent back
we've already paid 2)our security deposit 3)moving expenses and 4)$1000 apiece.
Is this unreasonable? And is it possible for some lawyer to come in and
break what is clearly a binding contract? I feel like I'm being pushed around
and I don't like it! Can someone with knowledge of New York tenant law give us
some advice? I'm afraid of both winding up with a big legal battle or being
evicted with nothing. Help!

Follow Ups:

• Re: our landlord sold the house and wants us out! Mark Smith 7/12/99 (0)

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Comments:
: I'm looking for some advice.  June 1st my 3 housemates and I signed a lease
: for a 4 bedroom apartment in Rochester, NY.  Two weeks later the landlord told
: us that he was being relocated and was selling the house - at the time he
: assured us that our 12 month lease would hold.  After only a month in the house
: he informed us that he was accepting an offer that was contingent on the new
: owners being able to move into our apartment at time of closing.  He offered us
: half of August's rent off ($400) to break the lease.  He informed us that if
: we didn't take it he would go to his lawyers who told him that they could get us
: out in a matter of months.  Our lease has no termination clause and states that
: if either the owners or the tenants change the lease is still binding.  Because
: this is a big mess that none of us has time for, we are willing to leave, but
: we would like fair compensation.  We gave our counter-offer of 1)the rent back 
: we've already paid 2)our security deposit 3)moving expenses and 4)$1000 apiece.
: Is this unreasonable?  And is it possible for some lawyer to come in and
: break what is clearly a binding contract?  I feel like I'm being pushed around
: and I don't like it!  Can someone with knowledge of New York tenant law give us
: some advice?  I'm afraid of both winding up with a big legal battle or being 
: evicted with nothing.  Help!


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