My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of New York

My husband and I are a little more than half way through our 1 year lease on our apartment (8/08 to 8/09). We would like to purchase a home at the end of our lease, or sooner except that we dont want to incure the costs of breaking our lease. Our lease states that if we break it we simply owe the rest of the rent due until the end of the lease. So we basically keep paying rent if we move out early. I was told by a friend that New York law states that if you are in a lease and buying a home you have to be let out of the lease. I have no idea if this is true or not. Nor do I know how to find said law.

1. Can someone advise me on whether or not this law exists
2. If it is true, where I can look for it (legitimate resources etc..)
Thank you.