I'm in Brooklyn New York. 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 will 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. The new owner wants to turn two apartments into a one-family house, 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, but I'm not sure how much $$ to ask for. What can I expect? What are my rights under NY State law?

You are correct, they have to honor your lease except if they plan on moving in family. So, if they plan on having family live in both apartments they can break the lease. On the other hand, you could fight it and delay their taking over both apartments. If you are refusing to move, it could be a deal breaker for your landlord.

So I would take his buyout offer. I would ask for 2 months rent and him picking up the cost of moving your stuff. If he balks, I would settle for just paying all moving costs.