What does your lease say about the move-in date?

You may be able to get some solid information by joining a tenant's union (or similar organization).

Metropolitan Council on Housing
339 Lafayette Street, #301
New York, NY 10012
212-979-0611 hotline (Monday-Wednesday-Friday 1:30-5 p.m.)
212-979-6238

Westside Tenants’ Union
200 West 72nd Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 595-1274