What to do if the company managing the co-op building I’m living in wants to collect rent from me, the subtenant, because the owner is in arrears on maintenance charges?

What to do if the company managing the co-op building I’m living in wants to collect rent from me, the subtenant, because the owner is in arrears on maintenance charges?

The lease I signed with the owner states that it’s subject the proprietary lease andthat I should only be paying rent to the owner. The management company say there is a clause in the proprietary lease that says in the event that the owner owes them money, they can collect it from me. So now, both the owner and the management company expect me to pay them in 4 days when rent is due. What should I do?

Asked on January 28, 2013 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

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