In a perfect world, a person who is arrested and charged with a crime would not face any additional consequences until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted. Unfortunately, some individuals who get arrested can face evictions long before they have their day in court. Fortunately, there are sometimes steps a landlord-tenant…
Continue readingBoth landlord harassment and landlord sexual harassment are felonies in the state of New York, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. When they do, it’s important to know what your rights are and how to respond. Here’s what you need to know and the next steps you should take. How the Law Defines Landlord…
Continue readingIt may be uncomfortable to contemplate a landlord who can enter your apartment at virtually any time. Nobody loves the idea of providing a stranger with the key to their home. Unfortunately, landlords usually have a key by default. And if you attempt to circumvent this reality by installing your own lock, you’ll be dealing…
Continue readingLandlord harassment is illegal in New York. Tenants have the right to enjoy their units in peace so long as they are meeting the terms of their lease. Yet landlords may try to harass tenants for many reasons, especially in New York’s competitive real estate market. Often, the goal is to get you to break…
Continue readingThe rental market is tough everywhere, but it doesn’t get tougher than New York City. If you’re going to make it as a renter here, you’ve got to adopt some smart legal habits to protect yourself. Here are five habits that real estate lawyers like me recommend to New York tenants. #1) Reading the Lease…
Continue readingSecurity deposits are an endless source of frustration for New York tenants. It can be difficult to get them back even if you move out of a squeaky clean, undamaged apartment. In addition, security deposits can serve as a barrier to moving into a new place. Here’s what you need to know about New York…
Continue readingThere are few things more disgusting or distressing than a bedbug infestation. That’s why New York specifically has laws to protect tenant’s rights to a bedbug-free environment. Here’s what you need to know. Your Rights If Your Unit Has Bedbugs If you have bedbugs, your landlord has 30 days to correct this problem. It’s considered…
Continue readingLandlords have a responsibility to provide safe, well-maintained homes. While the city does not enforce minor repairs, it does require landlords to adhere to housing codes. These codes are enforced by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development Violation (HPD). If they do not, they may be issued one of three types of violations. A…
Continue readingA rental history can help you in several different ways. For one, it can help you determine if your apartment is rent-stabilized. It can also help you argue against outrageous rent increases, even if your apartment isn’t rent-stabilized. Seeing the history might also give you an idea of how often rent increases and by how…
Continue readingYou spend the night with your significant other. Your landlord tells you they will evict you for having sex before marriage unless you agree to stop seeing your significant other on their property. Can they do it? Or you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and your landlord catches wind of your orientation. Can…
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