Feature Articles

City Council Passes Tenant Harassment and Displacement Legislation

May 23, 2019

The City Council recently passed 17 bills meant to protect tenants and prevent landlords from harassing them out of their apartments. The legislative package includes new rules on renovations, tenant buyouts, housing court process servers, and more. With its passage, owners cannot use...

File High-Income Rent Deregulation Form by June 30

May 23, 2019

If you have a tenant who’s paying a monthly rent of $2,774.76 or more for a rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment, it might be time to submit online the second of two Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) forms that may eventually lead to deregulation of the apartment. If...

Cure Violations for Upcoming 2020–2021 MBR Cycle for Rent-Controlled Apartments

May 23, 2019

It’s not too soon for owners of buildings that contain rent-controlled units to begin preparing for the upcoming 2020–2021 maximum base rent (MBR) cycle. The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has recently released the 2020–2021 MBR forms. The forms that need to...

Give Tenant Advance Notice Before Starting Eviction Proceeding

April 18, 2019

The Rent Stabilization Code (RSC) requires you to give advance notice to a rent-stabilized tenant before you can seek his eviction in most cases. The notice, known as a termination notice, informs the tenant that he must vacate or give up his apartment by a certain date.

City Council Passes Legislation on Lead Testing and Reporting Requirements

April 18, 2019

The New York City Council recently passed a package of lead safety bills that’s intended to update and strengthen the city’s lead laws, setting some of the highest standards in the country. The bills include new guidelines for testing for lead in day care centers, testing for lead in...

Large Building Owners to Submit Benchmarking Data by May 1

April 18, 2019

Local Law 84 (LL84) requires owners of large buildings to annually measure their energy and water consumption in a process called benchmarking. LL84 standardizes this process by requiring building owners to enter their annual energy and water use in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...

File RPIE Statements by June 3

April 18, 2019

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) requires certain owners of residential properties to file the Real Property Income & Expense Statement (RPIE) every year. The DOF needs income and expense information each year to value your property accurately.

RGB Releases 2019 Income Studies

April 18, 2019

The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) is mandated by law to establish yearly rent adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. The board holds an annual series of public meetings and hearings to consider research from staff and testimony from owners, tenants, advocacy groups, and...

How to Prevent Housing Discrimination Claims Based on Race or Color

March 19, 2019

The New York City Commission on Human Rights recently announced the launch of its new “While Black” ad campaign to combat racial discrimination. According to Carmelyn P. Malalis, chairwoman and commissioner of the organization, the ad campaign is an effort to encourage more people to...

Check Whether Your J-51 Building Is on DHCR 'Problem' List

March 19, 2019

The DHCR has recently posted a list of J-51 buildings with potentially problematic registration and deregulation issues.

The J-51 tax break program gives owners tax exemptions for carrying out rehabs and renovations of older, multi-dwelling buildings. Renovation work could include such...

How to Follow the Rent Stabilization Code’s Settlement Rules

February 22, 2019

It may be to your advantage to settle with a tenant over a complaint he’s filed with the DHCR before the DHCR makes a decision on the complaint. Doing so can save you time and money, and you can avoid concerns over an uncertain result. But you need to be careful about how you settle the...

Send Tenant 2019 DHCR Form If Rent Is $2,774.76 or More

February 22, 2019

Rent-regulated apartments with a legal or maximum monthly rent that has reached or exceeded $2,774.76 may be petitioned for high-income rent deregulation. The Rent Act of 2015 amended the rent threshold for high-rent vacancy deregulation and high-income/high-rent deregulation by raising the...