Tenant Forced to Sign Second Lease for Higher Rent

June 30, 2009

LVT Number: #22001

Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. Landlord claimed that tenant owed over $7,000. Tenant claimed a rent overcharge. She received a Housing Stability Plus voucher from the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), then signed a lease with landlord for the apartment at $820 per month. Before she moved in, she said that landlord forced her to sign a second "side" lease for $1,150. The court ruled for tenant. Landlord's agent approved a broker's agreement with tenant for the $820 lease. So landlord couldn't now claim that that lease was invalid.

Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. Landlord claimed that tenant owed over $7,000. Tenant claimed a rent overcharge. She received a Housing Stability Plus voucher from the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), then signed a lease with landlord for the apartment at $820 per month. Before she moved in, she said that landlord forced her to sign a second "side" lease for $1,150. The court ruled for tenant. Landlord's agent approved a broker's agreement with tenant for the $820 lease. So landlord couldn't now claim that that lease was invalid. Landlord also hid the $1,150 lease from DHS. The $1,150 lease was unconscionable, and tenant was overcharged by $14,000, including triple damages.

Assoc. v. CW: NYLJ, 6/25/09, p. 28, col. 1 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; Madhavan, J)

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