My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: New York
Hello I found an apartment in the sublet section of a local website. Through email and phone calls, I spoke with both the tenant and the landlord. We agreed to at least a 6 months stay, possibly more.
The tenant had promised to have all of their personal belongings packed and gone by the time I got there, but I was going to use the furniture for a deposit. I was also to assume the utilities.
When I showed up on my move date the person was not ready to move, or even packed and took 10 days to vacate. Afterwards, I found out I could not assume the utilities we had agreed upon and had to sign a lease with the landlord to prove that I was now in fact a tenant. The previous tenant up to this point had a verbal month-to-month with the landlord.
Last month I received a note that the tenant would in fact not be moving back and asked if I would like to purchase the furniture (not sure how much this impacts the situation since I had a written lease).
This month the tenant wrote to saying they are now returning and also sent a sublet termination notice to me via email.
I was under the impression at this point that between the note that I had received about the tenant not returning as well as having a written lease that the apartment was now under my possession.
The landlord under no circumstances wants the tenant to return, and has a lien on the furniture due to money owed by the tenant for a separate issue.
I believe at this point the tenant has no claim to the apartment, and I am not sure what to do regarding the property.
Any guidance would be appreciated.

