I’m hoping the landlord will allow us to just pay for the next month while we wait on closing and moving our equipment and inventory over, but I’m curious what they can legally do to make us vacate should they become unhappy with the situation. 

Do not rely on it for legal advice.

Or could they be bending the rules and putting in contracts on properties that they probably don't even know what it looks like; is that even allowed/ethical/legal?

If all parties agree you can null the original contract and establish a new one.Alternatively, if there's no clause against sub-leasing then that could be an easy solution...just make sure the original tenant knows that if their replacement doesn't pay rent then they (the original) is on the hook for those funds.

Do not rely on it for legal advice.

It's always prudent to to consider the cost benefit analysis of pursuing any legal action. 

@Tomiko Graves An LLC is a legal entity, with no bearing on taxation.

Legally they cannot take the check out of escrow until 30 days after the lease or until tenants sign the deposit over to landlords. 

I am conflicted by what seems to be the ethical thing to do and what is legally in my right.

https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chap...Look at page 15.I think Jared is likely correct -- this is probably more about getting something to base scope upon, not a licensed architect legal necessity.