Landlord v. Tenant

Landlord v. Tenant: March 2014

February 24, 2014    
Pets: Tenant Must Walk Dog Outside with Leash and Muzzle Landlord sued to evict tenant for keeping a dog and cat in his apartment in violation of his lease. Landlord and tenant signed a settlement agreement in court. Landlord agreed that tenant could keep his pets if tenant walked the dog off-...
Feature

Four Reasons You Can Use to Legally Refuse Tenant's Sublet Request

January 27, 2014    
If a rent-stabilized tenant asks your permission to sublet an apartment, you may legally refuse that request only if you have a good reason. Owners can’t “unreasonably” say no to a sublet request, according to the state’s sublet law [Section 226-b of the New York Real...
In the News

DHCR Formally Adopts Rent Stabilization Code Amendments

January 27, 2014    
On Jan. 8, the DHCR officially adopted amendments to the Rent Stabilization Code. The amendments were the end product of the formal process required under the New York State Administrative Procedure Act to amend various regulations in the Rent Stabilization Code, the Tenant Protection Regulations,...
In the News

TPU Reaches Settlement Agreement with Owner to Protect Spanish-Speaking Immigrants

January 27, 2014    
On Jan. 15, Governor Cuomo announced a major settlement agreement between New York State's Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) and Castellan Real Estate Partners/Liberty Place Property Management.
In the News

Artists Claim Rent-Stabilized Status for Their Lofts

January 27, 2014    
Artists living in a former luggage factory in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood are fighting back against rising rents by pushing for their units to be declared rent stabilized. They’re arguing that because the buildings were constructed before 1974 and the landlord hasn’t...
Feature

How to Calculate Rent Increases for Temporarily Exempt Apartments

December 18, 2013    
Rent-stabilized apartments are sometimes temporarily exempt from rent stabilization. For example, while they’re occupied by the owner they are considered exempt. But when a new tenant moves in, the apartment reverts back to stabilization. In addition, you can collect the rent guidelines...
Management Basics

Follow DOS Christmas Tree Recycling Program Guidelines

December 18, 2013    
The city’s Department of Sanitation (DOS) will be conducting special collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees beginning on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, through Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. Trees are chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for NYC’s parks,...
In the News

Internal NYCHA Audit Exposes Vacant Apartment Problems

December 18, 2013    
Internal auditors of the New York City Housing Authority have revealed that 319 of NYCHA’s vacant apartments have been vacant for an average of seven years, with some sitting empty for as long as two decades, because the agency can’t afford to make repairs. With nearly 179,000 public...
Landlord v. Tenant

Landlord v. Tenant: January 2014

December 18, 2013    
Building Violations: Displaced Tenants Sue Landlord and HPD for Relocation Costs In November 2012, HPD inspected landlord's building and issued three Class "I" violations, which directed tenants to vacate their apartments. These orders followed prior HPD violations that were placed on...
Feature

Charging Extra Fees for Items or Services—What’s OK, What’s Not

November 21, 2013    
You may believe you have a right to charge extra fees to rent-stabilized tenants for certain items or services. For example, you may want to charge your tenants a fee for paying rent late or for taking over use of the elevator when moving furniture into their apartments.