Hi, I live in Astoria Queens in a Rent Stabilized building with 6 or more apartments. I have been living there for 2.5 years but my name was never on the lease. My roommate just moved out and now the landlord wants to increase my rent. The rent was paid directly to the landlord by my roommate and was aware that I was living in the building. Is this legal? Or can I still get the same rent though I have been living here for 2.5 years. My roommate never renewed his lease in the building and had lived here for 6 years- it was automatically renewed for some apparent reason.
Can some one help with this? It would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.
Ken