Musical rental agreement I am in dispute with the owner of a former musical…

Musical rental agreement
I am in dispute with the owner of a former musical rental busniess. During the course of the rental agreement, he went out of business. After a year, he wrote up a buy agreement, which I replied to but no response. Now at two years later,he in demandingg ”back rent” for the entire period after the business dissolved and return of the merchandise. I am willing to retunr the merchandise but am I also liable for ”back rent” to this dissolved business ?