Author Archives: Friedman & Ranzenhofer

Can My Landlord Cancel My Lease Because I Told Him I’m Having Financial Problems?

That will depend on how definite and unequivocal your expression of financial difficulties was. In a recent New York case, before the term of the 15 year commercial lease was to begin, the New York tenant advised the landlordthat it was experiencing financial difficulties. By an email message, the tenant offered the landlord certain “options” […]

Is It Housing Discrimination For A New York Landlord To Limit Tenants To Two Per Bedroom?

A New York landlord can only restrict two tenants per bedroomin some situations.In a recent case, a husband and wife filed a complaint with HUD that the management company refused to renew their lease after concluding that the family of five was too large for the 1,464 square foot, two-bedroom apartment that they had occupied […]

When Can I Keep A New York Tenant’s Security Deposit?

If you are a landlord, you may have asked your tenant to provide a security deposit, to cover any losses you may incur for unpaid rent or damages. In New York, there are specific state laws about security deposits. There may be local laws as well. In addition, there are different rules for deposits on […]

What Is An Annulment and How Can I Get One In New York? I Don’t Want To Get A Divorce.

Some people like the idea of getting an annulment instead of a divorce, when a marriage comes to an end. Many people believe that annulments are faster and cheaper than a divorce. A person may have a religious objection to divorce and wish to seek an annulment instead. In New York, there are two different […]

A Rental Property That I Own Had A Small Bug Problem & The Tenants Are Refusing To Pay. Is This Legal In New York?

Under New York law, in every lease for residential property there is an implied warranty of habitability. This is true whether or not it is actually written into the lease. The implied warranty of habitability means that every landlord warrants three things about the property: that the property is fit for human habitation, that the […]

How Is Marital Property Divided In A New York Divorce Case?

One of the first questions that many divorce clients asks is “who gets the property?” The most highly contested parts of a divorce is who will get the property accumulated during the marriage. Like most other areas of the law, how marital property is divided depends on which state you live in. New York is […]

Is It A Crime To Secretly Tape Consensual Sex in the Rochester,New York Area?

Yes, videotaping a consensual act without a partner’s knowledge violates the New York laws against unlawful surveillance. The New York Appellate Division, Third Department rejected the defendant’scontentions that the New York unlawful surveillance law applies only to “peeping Toms” who hide video cameras in locker rooms, bathrooms, and dressing rooms. The law also applies to […]

In The Rochester Area, Where And When Can I Drive With My New York Conditional License?

A conditional New York license after a DWI allows for driving to work, from work and at any time during the work day that your job requires you to operate a motor vehicle. You may also drive to and from college or vocational classes, DDP classes, your children’s classes, the DMV, substance abuse treatments, and […]

What Is A Lead Disclosure Form? Do I Have To Do One Of Those In New York?

There are many dangers of being exposed to lead, especially for children. Most exposure to lead by children comes from lead paint. Lead was used frequently in house paint before 1978. When it peels, children sometimes are poisoned by putting the lead paint chips in their mouths. Also, lead paint can be dangerous when it […]

Why Might I Be Referred For Substance Abuse Evaluation By The NY Drinking Driver Program In The Rochester Area?

In some cases, you must undergo a formal substance abuse evaluation to stay enrolled in the Rochester, NY Drinking Driving Program (DDP) and maintain your conditional license. You may be referred for evaluation based on the information you disclose in a written self inventory, or if you request help in dealing with an addiction problem.Referrals […]