NEW YORK SUPPLEMENT - 2ND SERIES - LEGAL REPORTER

No Second MCI Increase for Facade Work Within Useful Life of Prior Work

December 22, 2021    

The DHCR denied landlord's application for an MCI rent hike relating to pointing, waterproofing, and related facade work. Landlord then filed an Article 78 court appeal, claiming that the DHCR's decision was...

Landlord Didn't Prove Building Was in Substandard Condition

December 22, 2021    

Landlord applied to the DHCR in 2018 for a determination that its building had been substantially rehabilitated and therefore was exempt from rent stabilization. The DHCR ruled against landlord, who then filed an...

Landlord Didn't Prove Tenant Caused Reduction in Services

December 22, 2021    

Rent-stabilized tenant complained to the DHCR of a reduction in services and that landlord failed to perform certain renovation or repair work to her apartment. The DRA ruled for tenant, and the DHCR denied landlord...

Tenant Doesn't Prove Harassment Based on Alleged Toxic Odor

November 22, 2021    

Tenant brought an HP proceeding against landlord, claiming harassment. She said there was a "toxic odor invading" her apartment in June 2020 and that landlord did nothing about it. Landlord asked the court...

Appeals Court Revokes Lower Court's Order to Vacate Settlement Agreement

November 22, 2021    

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant for nonprimary residence. Tenant didn't appear in court, but occupant appeared and claimed succession rights as a nontraditional family member. Landlord and occupant...

Landlord Can't Evict Successor Tenant for Not Paying Prior Tenant's Unpaid Rent

November 22, 2021    

Landlord sued to evict Mitchell-Lama tenant in April 2019, claiming that she owed $17,897 in back rent from November 2017 through March 2019 under an occupancy agreement. Tenant previously had lived in the apartment...

Unregulated Tenant Can Evict Roommate Who Claims They Were Domestic Partners

November 22, 2021    

Unregulated tenant sued to evict her roommate in housing court after terminating his month-to-month subtenancy. The roommate claimed that he was the tenant's nontraditional family member because they had lived...

Federal Appeals Court Upholds NYC COVID Harassment Laws

November 22, 2021    

In May 2020, NYC amended its residential and nonresidential harassment laws, to prohibit "threatening" tenants based on their "status as a person or business impacted by COVID-19, or . . . receipt of a...

Tenant's Daughter Gets Rent-Stabilized Apartment

November 18, 2021    

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant for nonprimary residence. Tenant's daughter appeared in the proceeding and claimed she had succession rights to the apartment. The trial court ruled for the daughter...

Landlord's Incorrect Collection of Rent Increases from 421-a Tenants Wasn't Willful

November 18, 2021    

Rent-stabilized tenants sued landlord, claiming fraud in connection with rent overcharges. Tenants lived in a 421-a building and claimed landlord improperly charged them 2.2 percent annual rent increases in...

CEEFPA as Amended Expands Definition of Protected Tenants

November 18, 2021    

Landlord sued to evict tenant, and in August 2019, the parties settled the case, with a judgment and warrant for landlord. Tenant agreed to move out by a certain date but sought and obtained several extensions of the...

Tenant's Rent-Stabilized Status Not Extended Under Addition of Affordable Units

November 18, 2021    

Tenant moved into a 421-a building in 2003 and was subject to rent stabilization as a result. The building's 421-a tax benefits, along with tenant's rent stabilization status, were set to expire on June 30,...