Landlord Refused to Accept Section 8 Voucher

Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. Landlord and tenant signed a settlement agreement in court where tenant agreed that she owed $6,800, and an eviction warrant was issued. Tenant then got an attorney and asked the court to vacate the agreement and the warrant. The court ruled for tenant. Tenant moved into the building in July 2007. At the time of her lease renewal in July 2008, tenant obtained a Section 8 voucher through NYCHA. Landlord refused to accept tenant’s voucher. This was a violation of Local Law 10 of 2008. Under Local Law 10, landlord of a building with six or more apartments must accept Section 8 rent subsidies for new tenants and existing tenants. Since landlord had refused to accept tenant’s voucher, it violated Local Law 10. The court vacated the settlement agreement on the condition that tenant pay the rent that was owed at the rate of 30 percent of her gross income per month.

667 E. 187th St. LLC v. Walker: NYLJ, 4/22/09, p. 27, col. 3 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; Villella, J)