Potential Tenant Never Completed NYCHA Application

Prospective tenant sued to compel landlord NYCHA to reinstate her Section 8 housing voucher and to enforce a lease agreement she signed for an apartment. Tenant had received a 180-day Section 8 voucher in July 2009. NYCHA located an apartment for tenant on Nov. 17, 2009, and advised her she had to pay $375 within five days or lose the apartment. Tenant didn't contact NYCHA until Dec. 14, and was then told her lease was canceled because she didn't pay the fee. In January 2010, tenant's Section 8 voucher expired and NYCHA told her no extension was available. Tenant claimed that NYCHA violated its own policy by not stopping the clock on the Section 8 voucher after she submitted a housing application and signed a lease. The court ruled against tenant and dismissed the case. Since tenant never paid the $375 fee, there was never an effective lease agreement. So the clock continued to run on her 180-day voucher.

Bridges v. Rhea: NYLJ,Index No. 401110/10, NYLJ No. 1202474168161 (Sup. Ct. NY; 10/7/10; Huff, J)