New York Attorney General Letitia James secured more than $650,000 from debt collection law firm, Tromberg, Morris, & Poulin, LLC (TMP), and its subsidiary, Stephen Einstein & Associates, P.C. (SEA), for filing frivolous lawsuits. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that TMP and its subsidiary often sued tenants on behalf […]
Category Archives: Landlord / Tenant Law
12
Feb
Feb
In People vs. Commons West, LLC, the Cortland County New York Supreme Court ruled the New York Source of Income Antidiscrimination statute (“SOIA”) to be unconstitutional. The New York Human Rights Law (Executive Law article 15) was amended in April 2019 to make it an unlawful discriminatory practice to refuse to rent or lease housing […]
09
Feb
Feb
Feb 6, 2024 – Landlords and property managers will learn how to comply with federal, state and local laws and avoid common mistakes. Our New York guest attorneys Robert Friedman and Justin Friedman will explain landlords’ rights and responsibilities including: Case studies of complicated evictions. Best practices in tenant application and screening processes. Illegal lease clauses. […]
Attorney Robert Friedman contributed a fantastic article to RENT Magazine to help landlords avoid legal matters involving emotional support animals. Click here to read the article
09
Nov
Nov
Due to unprecedented rainfall and disastrous flooding, New York laws require that sellers of residential properties disclose to buyers, and landlords disclose to tenants, known flood risks. NY RESIDENTIAL LEASE DISCLOSURES NY Real Property Law Sec. 231-B, effective June 21, 2023, requires every residential lease disclose any prior flood damage to the leased premises due […]
Karen Cohen has a medically documented severe allergy to pet dander that causes nasal congestion, swollen sinuses, excess coughing, and, at times, a swollen throat. Due to her severe pet allergies, Cohen sought an apartment building that did not allow pets. After Cohen moved into her apartment, another tenant, David Clark requested a reasonable accommodation […]
05
Jun
Jun
Prior to the NY Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act of 2019, New York’s manufactured home residents were vulnerable to arbitrary rent hikes and evictions. Manufactured home residents are now covered by regulations and protections, including: Lot rent protections: manufactured home park owners cannot increase rent (including all rent, fees, assessments, charges, and utilities) more than […]
17
Apr
Apr
New York landlords and real estate brokers who screen prospective tenants during the application process must know the difference between legitimate questions and discriminatory questions that could violate fair housing laws. Landlords may establish set financial and credit qualifications to determine if the applicant will be a good tenant. Qualifications and inquiries must be applied […]
10
Mar
Mar
New York landlords may evict tenants where the stay imposed by a Section 8 subsidized tenant’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) application is futile due to the current regulations that provide such applications will be reviewed after all applications from non-subsidized tenants have been processed. A landlord commenced a nonpayment eviction proceeding in January 2022. […]
06
Mar
Mar
Landlords cannot restrict the specific breed of an emotional support animal, according to HUD GUIDANCE ON REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT RELATING TO ASSISTANCE ANIMALS Pet rules do not apply to service animals and support animals. Thus, landlords may not limit the breed or size of a dog used as a service animal […]