Departments

Agencies Try to Block Owner’s Eviction-through-Bankruptcy Attempt

March 19, 2019

An East Village owner is asking a bankruptcy court to terminate tenants’ leases on the grounds that a proposed $8.2 million sale of the building can’t go through while the rent-stabilized leases are in place. The building has 16 rent-stabilized units and eight tenants at the building...

Bill Introduced to Change Lookback Period for Overcharge Complaints

March 19, 2019

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz recently introduced a bill to change the state law when it comes to tenants who wish to file a rent overcharge complaint. Currently, tenants can request their rent history from the DHCR and file a complaint if they see their rent was increased beyond the legal limit...

Comptroller Testifies on NYC’s Preliminary FY 2020 Budget

March 19, 2019

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer recently testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance’s Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Budget Hearing. This year, the comptroller continues the watch list of city agencies that are of most concern when it comes to budgeting. The list...

Resiliency Plan Aims to Protect Lower Manhattan from Climate Change

March 19, 2019

Mayor de Blasio recently released the findings of a study that determined the city’s comprehensive strategy for the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) project. The study evaluated dozens of adaptation measures and identified a set of strategies to build resilience in Lower Manhattan...

DOB Releases Interactive Building Profiles Map

March 19, 2019

DOB recently published a new, interactive map that provides greater insight into how the department interacts with the nearly 1.1 million buildings and 45,000 active construction sites it regulates. The map provides a 12-month snapshot of building permits, complaints, inspections, violations,...

Landlord v. Tenant: April 2019

March 19, 2019

DISCRIMINATION

Lawsuit to Stop Publication of City’s Worst Landlords List Dismissed

Two landlords sued New York City’s Public Advocate for damages and asked the court to stop the Advocate from publishing the city’s watchlist of 100 worst landlords. The city...

City Council Passes Basement Apartment Pilot Program

February 22, 2019

The New York City Council recently voted in favor of creating a pilot program to expand the city’s housing stock by facilitating the creation of basement apartments in East New York. This program would also aid eligible property owners with low-cost loans. While modest in its initial scope...

Legislation Introduced to Regulate Security Deposits

February 22, 2019

City and state legislation recently was introduced that would regulate security deposits on apartment rentals. State Senator Brad Holyman, who represents much of Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, is a co-sponsor of the state legislation. And Councilmembers Carlina Rivera and Keith Powers...

State Creates Online Portal for Rent-Stabilized Tenant Issues

February 22, 2019

Governor Cuomo recently announced the launch of NYS Rent Connect, a new online service that modernizes and simplifies New Yorkers' interaction with the rent regulation system. It provides quick access to forms and information for tenants and building owners of rent-stabilized and rent-...

Mayor Announces Decrease in Citywide Evictions

February 22, 2019

The de Blasio administration recently announced that residential evictions by marshals declined 37 percent since 2013, with approximately 18,000 evictions in 2018 compared to nearly 29,000 evictions in 2013. In 2018 alone, evictions decreased 14 percent, with 3,000 households and more than 8,000...

City Council Passes Clarifying Amendments to Indoor Allergen Hazards Law

February 22, 2019

Under Local Law 55 of 2018, the Asthma-Free Housing Act, owners are required to inspect units annually for indoor allergen hazards, such as mice, cockroaches, rats, and mold. The City Council recently passed legislation that made several changes to the law, which became effective on Jan. 19,...

Landlord v. Tenant: March 2019

February 22, 2019

HARASSMENT

Tenants’ Harassment Claim Dismissed

Tenants brought an HP proceeding against landlord, seeking correction of building violations and also claiming harassment by landlord. Landlord and tenants signed a consent order to correct violations, and a trial was set to...