Feature

How to Prepare Rent Demands for Nonpayment Proceedings

August 21, 2014    
Sooner or later even the luckiest owner gets stuck with a tenant who’s not paying rent. This makes it tougher for owners to make mortgage payments and pay bills such as employee paychecks, utilities, and insurance. But before you can sue to evict, you must ask the tenant to pay the rent owed...
Rent Increases

Collect Increase of 18.25% or 20% for Vacancy Leases

August 21, 2014    
If you sign a vacancy lease with a tenant between Oct. 1, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015, the new order issued on June 23 by the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB)—RGBO #46—lets you collect the vacancy increases permitted under the Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997 (RRRA).
In the News

State Investigates Owner's Alleged Pattern of Harassment

August 21, 2014    
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently launched an investigation into allegedly illegal tactics used by a Manhattan owner to force out rent-stabilized tenants across 100 residential buildings he owns in Manhattan.
Landlord v. Tenant

Landlord v. Tenant: September 2014

August 21, 2014    
Alterations to Apartments: Tenant Renovated Bathroom Without Landlord’s Permission Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant for creating a nuisance and for violating his lease by performing unauthorized alterations. Landlord claimed that tenant demolished the apartment’s bathroom...
Feature

What Documents to Include with Leases to Avoid Penalties

July 25, 2014    
If you’re like most owners, you may be confused about what documents you’re legally required to include with the vacancy and renewal leases you offer to tenants. Both the city and federal governments have passed laws requiring you to include various documents with leases in certain...
Rent Increases

Take 1% and 2.75% Rent Increases for Renewal Leases

July 25, 2014    
On June 23, 2014, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) issued an order—RGBO #46—setting the rent increases you may take for rent-stabilized tenants in New York City on leases beginning anytime on or after Oct. 1, 2014, through Sept. 30, 2015.
In the News

DEP Initiates High-Efficiency Toilet Replacement Program

July 25, 2014    
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a new program to replace as many as 200,000 inefficient toilets in up to 10,000 buildings citywide. The first phase of the program will target between 7,000 and 10,000 owners who participate in DEP’s Multifamily...
In the News

Report Finds Manhattan Rents Reach Five-Year High

July 25, 2014    
Over the past four months Manhattan market rental prices have continued to increase, reaching the highest peaks in more than five years, according to a recent Douglas Elliman report analyzing the rental market in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens for June 2014. The market has tightened as a result of...
Landlord v. Tenant

Landlord v. Tenant: August 2014

July 25, 2014    
Primary Residence: Tenant Must Submit to Independent Medical Exam Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant based on nonprimary residence. Landlord claimed that tenant lived in New Jersey and sublet the apartment without landlord’s permission. Tenant claimed that he was away from the...
Feature

How to Handle Tenant Who Tries to Dictate Who Makes Repairs

June 24, 2014    
When it comes to apartment repairs, some tenants may be highly opinionated about all aspects of how the work should be done. In one case, an apartment needed painting and plastering, but the tenant wouldn’t allow the owner’s employees access to her apartment. She demanded that they use...