Here are the basics:

--I live in a rent stabilized apartment in Manhattan (NYC). It's a small (fairly crappy), 4 story, pre-war building with 16 apts (4 per floor).
--my lease expires on 6/30/07; I know that legally I am not required to vacate my apartment before that date.
--there are 3 other tenents that have the same lease expiration as me.
--the paperwork from the Division of Housing states that the owner had applied for permission to demolish the building (and rebuild)--probably so that the new apartments will not have to be rent stabilized


Do any orgers (esp. New Yorkers) have words of wisdom or advice in terms of how I can negotiate a "stipend" from the owner for offering to move out early? In the packet of paperwork I received from the Div. of Housing it states that if tenants vacate before the date set by them the owner is pretty much expected to pay some sort of stipend--at least moving expenses.

I am more than willing to move out early, but only if they pay for movers and any brokers fees (at the very least); obviously I would like to get more compensation b/c finding an apartment in NYC and moving is HELL. (And I'm on a really tight budget as is--the rent stabilized apartment is almost too expensive for me; so I'm scared I won't even be able to continue living in New York, period; but I have no where else to go... )



Has anyone been in this situation and successfully negotiated a good deal? What's the secret?




Also, might be looking for a nice, clean 1 bedroom in Manhattan (south of 125th), Astoria, LIC, that isn't outrageously expensive by NYC standards so if you have any leads, let me know! (Not interested in living in Brooklyn--it's too far from where I work & majority of my friends live in Queens or Manhattan. Not interested in roommates, either.)