rj41 building, tenant unemployed

[misbell]

In 1999 my landlord informed me that my rent-stabilized apartment was now free market because it was an rj41 building. My rent went up $600!!! I paid it for a year, then he decided he didn't want to renew my lease - which, unbelievably, he can do when it's free market!!!! - and, for the first time in my life, I found myself living in roommate situations.

I had zero income at the time that he raised my rent, and in the next three years made significantly less than 100k.

Was it legal for him to raise my rent to free market rates. Also, if it wasn't, can I still sue him for damages?