Tenants who stay past the end of a lease are treated as month-to-month tenants if the landlord accepts a rent payment (Real Property Law § 232-c). Stop paying your rent for a few months.Here's what to look out for, including the policies on renewals and roommates, your liability for insurance and whether you are paying for any utilities. This booklet explains many of these laws you need to know and provides resources where you can find more information about landlord and tenant issues. A complete and accurate application listing the current and at least one previous rental reference with phone numbers will be required. You may be able to legally move out before the lease term ends in the following situations. If you're renting with someone else, they'll fill out their own rental application. Applying to several apartments shouldn't impact your credit score. A lease is a written agreement under which a property owner allows a tenant to use the property for a specified period of time and rent. In the event of a conflict between the text and a heading, the text controls. 2.