tldr: subleased from this guy who was staying at this apartment for free at the help of his family friend. subleased ended early bc he never got permission, but was charging me $2200 per month. do i have any legal standing to get some money back since i’ve been unable to secure new housing?
so in early february 2026 i signed a sublease agreement w this guy who claimed that he had been leasing at this apartment for a couple years. the agreement was from feb 15 - may 1st (today). the reason he was subletting was to visit family in tx and get out of nyc for the winter.
around 10 days ago i got locked out and asked him for some help. he gave me the landlords number. i texted her saying i was locked out. he said what i texted her caused an issue, and she wanted both of our things out the apartment by the next day. i texted her i had a sublease agreement ending may 1st, and if that was fine with her, she said yes.
so fast forward today and i still have no new place lined up… reason being he told me the sublease was extendable to 6/1, but he hadn’t given me a formal sublease agreement to sign for that, it was just over text :// since 4/17 i’ve been scrambling to find a new place, have been unsuccessful, and am going to a hotel for the next couple weeks since i have a cat and can also not afford cat boarding or find a foster this last minute… i’ve been looking at going to a shelter after since i’m a teacher and literally have no money 😭
today i just found out from the actual tenant at the apartment that the guy is a family friend, and she was just “helping him out” and letting him stay there for free… meaning i’ve been giving him $2200 each month and he’s just been profiting.
given that i’ve been put in this predicament, do i have any legal recourse for the money? i’ve also attached pictures of the apartment to show the size vs what i’m paying.. its located at 30 e 127th st (east harlem). have i been successfully hoodwinked or is there any possibility of at least getting ANY amount to avoid going to a shelter?