In recent news, New York City tenants marched by the thousands to protest rental conditions in the city, bearing signs like “Cap the Rent” and “The Rent is Too Damn High.”  Collective action is powerful, but marching isn’t your only option. You could also form a tenant organization to champion your interests.  In New York,…

When you receive an eviction notice, your landlord accuses you of one of two things. The landlord is either claiming you did not pay the rent, or they’re claiming you violated the lease.  In New York, it is possible to challenge an eviction on many grounds, but you’ll have to move fast. You’ll need help…

Unless you live in public housing or receive Section 8, it’s generally permissible to sublet your apartment in New York City. However, subletting is governed by several laws you should be aware of.  You Must Request Permission Most leases will not allow you to sublet an apartment without written permission. The law will not allow…

If you are a senior citizen or have a disability, you may qualify for the NYC rent freeze program. Your apartment must be rent-controlled, rent-stabilized, hotel-stabilized, or Mitchell-Lama rent-regulated. You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply for the program, and your landlord may not prevent you from participating.  Public housing units are not…

Your landlord’s obligations are covered by New York’s heat laws and by the Truth in Heating Act.  Here’s what you need to know. The Truth in Heating Law New York’s Truth in Heating law has been in effect since January 1, 1981.  If you are a tenant in any New York City apartment where you’ll…

Landlords in New York City cannot prevent their tenants from having guests. New York’s Real Property Law protects your right to have guests spend the night for up to 30 days. Having guests is generally considered to be an ordinary use of the premises.  You don’t have to inform your landlord of what guests will…

During an eviction it may seem like the landlord has all the power, but the truth is tenants have rights even now. Those rights begin as soon as you have lived in the same place for 30 days or more, even if you did not sign a lease or are not a named party on…

A new landlord doesn’t have to mean trouble. In many cases, the sale of an apartment building is pretty routine. Most people who buy apartment buildings want tenants, and see your presence as an asset. Nevertheless, there are some legal issues you should be aware of. Here’s what you need to know.  Notification The Landlord…

Any tenant has the right to negotiate a rent decrease, especially if you look at advertised rental rates for units like yours and see that they’re significantly lower than what you are paying. If you’re a model tenant who pays your rent in time, it may be worth it to your property manager to keep…

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you probably have a need to move to a new location relatively quickly, regardless of your lease status. Fortunately, New York law recognizes that fact.  Leaving Your Apartment According to New York’s Real Property Law, Article 7, you may break your lease if you are the beneficiary…