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I live in an illegal loft building in Bushwick and am sick of the conditions I live in. 3 of the apartments in the building have been robbed in the past 6 months and 4 people have been mugged in front of the building. I wrote the landlord about fixing the front door, which doesn’t reliably shut and installing a cheap security camera system as he is collecting $100,000+ in rent per month on a building he rents out illegally and a building which has been broken into numerous times. Nothing fixed. After the latest break in on my floor I want out of my lease. I’m not trying to live rent free for years as you hear stories of people doing. I’m just done paying rent until I can find a new place. It’s more that I don’t want to get stuck with him keeping my last month and security deposit. I know that the landlord cannot collect back rent from me as the Certificate of Occupancy is commercial, but could not paying rent affect my credit? Would an eviction affect my credit? How long does the eviction process take in illegal lofts? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Patrick