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New York Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I left some stuff in my apartment I just moved out of I wanna know because I left like 3 boxes a BB gun and a sword can

I left some stuff in my apartment I just moved out of I wanna know because I left like 3 boxes a BB gun and a sword can the landlord come at me about it? My ex is making a big deal about saying she would let them come after me I can't see them doing that if the security deposit covers and... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 31, 2022

Dear Amsterdam Tenant

Most forms of New York State residential leases provide that upon moving out any left behind personal property of the Tenant is abandoned and the Landlord is able to dispose without incurred any liability.

Of course, you did not mention that you had a lease...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Is it legal or illegal for a realtor to list apt for rent,while people are still living there(their lease is not up)

I live in a building managed by a company (although the owners of the building are the same people who own the management company)

Few months ago we noticed that they were listing apartments for rent on various websites but the problem is that people were still living there,they had no idea... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Jan 8, 2023

Dear Oyster Bay Tenant:

I am not able to locate a specific legislatively created crime for the events you described. You may report the broker to the licensing authority if you wish to follow up. https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/1507-f.pdf

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I was applying to a house to rent. Upon my denial of my application, I “had a history of being evicted” and I never was

Is that possible? And what could be the steps I take because I already terminated my job and current lease

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 30, 2022

New York Real Property Law Section 227-f provides as follows:

"No landlord of a residential premises shall refuse to rent or offer a lease to a potential tenant on the basis that the potential tenant was involved in a past or pending landlord tenant action or summary...
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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: If you want to evict squatters in New York State, how many days to quit the premises must the Notice to Quit indicate?
Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 30, 2022

Dear Stony Brook Property Owner:

How do you know that person is a "squatter"? Lawyers wrestle with the facts associated with defining status.

"...§ 713. Grounds where no landlord-tenant relationship exists. A special

proceeding may be maintained under this...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: live in a coop with underground parking, what can be stored and how in the parking space or extra space in garage

60 family bldg

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 29, 2022

Dear Brooklyn Coop Owner

Your vehicle in your parking space.

2 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Kindly share ANY precedent of Civil Mediation ADR that have occurred via mail, instead of in-person.

Dear All,

In Ref: EF2021-0863, Tompkins County. In a complicated Civil Lawsuit of an Absentee Landlord against Rental Management Agency, and therefore its two vulnerable tenants, The Supreme Court has referred the case to Civil Mediation Court for ADR for settlement.

One of the... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Jan 12, 2023

Dear Bhuvan:

Good day. You did not mention your relation to the tenants, the litigation, and the property. But you are a defendant, united in interest with your co-tenant, also a defendant, you were represented by Legal Services counsel, your counsel was permitted to be relieved of the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Who's really responsible?

There are two separate issues here. I will try not to confuse them.

I went to work for someone that paid for my apartment. I relocated. On his own, without my knowledge, he signed a one-year lease on said apartment. $1075.00 per month, 12 months. My name was written as sublease (without my... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 23, 2022

Dear Manhattan Tenant:

Generally, a sublease is subject to the main lease, primary lease, or to the over lease. Generally, in New York State, a sublease requires advance written permission from the landlord. Generally, a sublease is signed by the tenant and the subtenant, the signatures are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: This nonsense I saw online about January 31st 2023 they have the right to arrest a squatter in a apartment or dwelling i

Is this true I find nothing in the Statue about it

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

A property owner/tenant always had the power to call the police to remove or arrest a trespasser. A squatter is a person who may be removed from the premises only by legal process. If you have a source for the information about a new statute, please add that to your next question. Thank you.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: What paperwork do I need to get drawn up?

We want to purchase my brother's house he's willing to sell it to us at what he still owes its him his wife on it and his father inlaw as a co signer. We are building our credit currently and we don't have anyone to co sign for us. My brother said we can make monthly payments for the... View More

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Dec 13, 2022

Unfortunately, real estate transactions between family members that are done informally without an attorney often result in disputes down the road. Therefore, it is important to obtain legal representation to properly document this proposed transaction and best protect yourself instead of asking... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Can our landlord charge us for utilities even though our lease states that utilities are included in our rent?

We've been living in yonkers ny for a little over 2 years and our landlord wants us to pay for utilities because she states that it is too high even though our lease agreement which we renewed on March 1 2022 and she raised it $50 a month because of an elliptical that we purchased and she... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Yonkers Tenant:

If you are correct that the lease provides for "rent and utilities" at a flat monthly rate, the landlord is without unilateral power to change the terms and conditions and charge separately for utilities. If you live in a house with the homeowner and there is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: My regular doctor wrote me a letter saying I would benefit from having a dog and my landlord says no is that illegal
Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Dec 9, 2022

I would need more information to answer this question. Does this letter prescribe an emotional support animal? Is your regular doctor a mental health professional? I assume your residence has a no pets policy. If that is the case, there are limited situations where a landlord may refuse to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: a judge set a judgment for 195$ after an eviction and landlord sent me to collections for 3830 I have disputed this

is this fraud on their part

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 4, 2022

Any judgment entered against you can be sent for collections, no matter how small. If the judgment is fabricated, it would be fraud and not only would the collector be criminally liable: you would also potentially be able to recover a financial settlement under the FDCPA. A detailed review of your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: if a judge sets a judgment of $195 after eviction for cleaning fees can the old landlord send adebt collecter after you?

for 3830 claiming i never paid rent when it was never stated in court regarding eviction.

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Tenant:

The crucial fact in your statement is that there is a judgment (for money). That takes care of the underlying matter of whether the landlord ever had a right to make the claim for cleaning. A money judgment is subject to normal legal methods for enforcement and collection. If...
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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for New York on
Q: How soon can I take my landlord to small claims court to get my security deposit back . It’s been over 30 days .

Also do they have to give back double for not having it back on time?

Elaine Shay
Elaine Shay
answered on Dec 2, 2022

Under NYS law, landlord's are required to retun a residential security deposit within 14 days of vacatuer and provide written notification of the reasons for any deductions from the security deposit. If it has already been 30 days, you may commence a Small Claims Case or contact the Attorney... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I was asked to be cosigner for someone and landlord wrote me as tenant to make process quicker..is that ok in Philadelp
Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Philidelphia Tenant:

You probably need to post the question for an attorney in Pennsylvania to answer. There is no upside and an awful amount of downside and risk in volunteering to become a guarantor of another person's tenancy, rent, and lease obligations.

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: How can i get my security deposit back from my building landlord

They are refusing to give it to me. They are stating i did “damages” and stayed for 4 days in building before moving and stating i am responsible for the entire month’s rent. My lease ended nov 30. I moved Nov 4. They took pictures of apartment after i moved and stated i did damages when they... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 1, 2022

Under NY law, the landlord must return the full security deposit to you unless he provided an itemized list of damage charges within 14 days of move out. Whether the list they sent qualifies under the law is a legal question. It may be worth it to retain an attorney to serve him with a pre-suit... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Could I evict a tenant out of a house rental on the basis of family moving in and construction before their lease ends?
Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Queens Landlord:

If the current lease provides a right for the landlord to accelerate the expiration date of the lease in order to take over the apartment for personal use, follow the lease provisions for doing so. No matter what, an eviction in NYC may take as long as one year from...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I am married, moved out of my NY rental, trial separation, both on lease, who pays rent?

I moved out due to emotional abuse. My husband and I are both on the lease. I may pursue legal representation and divorce but in the meantime, not sure if I should still be paying half the rent for the apartment he currently occupies alone.

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Nov 29, 2022

If you are both on the lease, the landlord has the option of bringing a non payment action for rent arrears against one or both of you, regardless of whether you still live in the apartment. In a divorce case, the court would issue an order assigning responsibility for the rent, including arrears,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Is my mother allowed to kick me out even if I’m on the lease?

I live in NYC. My mother does not want me living in our apartment anymore, has taken my keys, and prohibits my brother from opening the door for me. I’m on the lease and it still does not need to be renewed for some time. Is she legally allowed to kick me out?

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Bronx Tenant:

No. Your mother cannot "kick you out" even if there are legal grounds to do so. You are illegally locked out. You could seek a court order in Bronx Housing Court. https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/lockouts.shtml

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: If I leave a property I been living at with my girlfriend for more than 30 days, for one night

I’ve been dating this girl, it’s not working out, I’m moving out soon she’s given me 30 days I’ll be out in less than a week. But she’s saying if I leave for one night then I have to give the keys back to the house, this house is my mailing address, and all of my property is stored... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Dear Schenectady Tenant:

If you have a written notification to get out (a notice to quit or termination notice) and you then "leave" the tenant may very well argue you voluntarily departed. New York State Law protects an "occupant" like you from being kicked out just...
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