Rent-Stabilized Tenant's Grandson Didn't Prove Succession Claim

Landlord sued to evict Mt. Vernon apartment occupant after the apartment's rent-stabilized tenant died. The occupant claimed that he was tenant's grandson, that he had continuously lived at the apartment with tenant as her caretaker since tenant had a stroke in October 2014, and that tenant died in September 2018. The court ruled for landlord. Landlord's managing tenant testified that he knew of no one living in the apartment besides tenant prior to her death. The occupant showed that he was tenant's grandson and submitted a letter from a health care organization in support of his claim that he lived with tenant. But that letter was dated six months after tenant died. The grandson also failed to produce any additional documentary or testimonial proof that he lived in the apartment for two years before tenant died. 

East Prospect Properties, LLC v. Blakeney: Index No. 834-19, 2019 NY Slip Op 50602(U) (City Ct. Mt. Vernon; 4/25/19; Seiden, J)