TL;DR I want to exercise rent succession for my (wife's) rent-stabilized apartment. Did I screw up?

Longer version: I moved in here three years ago. My wife was the tenant of record on the lease because she made more money. I was listed on the lease as "Occupant." In September we broke up and she left to pursue her dream job in another state, good for her.

At first the plan was for me to stay for the duration of the lease, and then move out. But after a while I was thinking that it's so hard to find an apartment, maybe I'd be better off keeping it.

I looked up the rules on rent succession, sent a certified letter to the LL explaining the situation and asking for a renewal lease in my name, along with the extra deposit check. I also signed my name on the rent renewal form (not my wife's), not sure if that was the right step or not. I felt a bit hurried because it was pretty much right at the cutoff for renewals.

Since then, the landlord hasn't cashed the extra deposit check, and I'm wondering if I made the right move. Did I screw up? What happens if I get to the end of the lease term with no renewal contract?