Can my landlord evict me?

I have a lease until the end of July 2008 and I’ve paid my rent on time for over 2 years. My landlord is selling the building and is now in contract with the new owners; she thinks they’ll close by the end of January 2008, about 6 weeks from now, and the new owners want me out by the time they close.

Does New York State law allow a landlord to just kick a tenant out because they have sold the building? My understanding was that a new owner can have a current tenant evicted ONLY if the new owner is moving into the dwelling as is. It’s a 3-storey/2-apartment brownstone right now, and the new owner wants to turn the two apts into one single-family dwelling, and I think this falls outside the parameters of a ‘legal eviction’ of a current tenant.

My landlord has offered to compensate me so that I’ll leave early and I’m willing to consider that, but I’m not sure how much $$ to ask for. What can I expect? What are my rights under NY State law?

By Montana Smith | 12/12/2007 1:38 PM