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Landlord / Tenant Laws in New York - An Overview

   
Landlord and Tenant Agreements
Condition of the Apartment
Destruction of the Apartment
Tenants Remedies
Entry by Landlord
Landlords Liability for Negligence
Rent Receipts
Security Deposits
Truth-In-Heating
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Subletting/Assignment
Tenant Associations
Discrimination
Acceleration Clause in the Lease
Smoke Detectors
Eviction
Cooperative/Condominium Conversion
Rights of Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
Tenants Exclusive Right to Purchase
Inspection of the Building
Lease Renewals
Rights of Non-Purchasing Tenants
Mitchell-Llama Housing
Abandoned Buildings
Emergency Relocation
Rent Stabilization/Rent Control

Landlord and Tenant Agreements
Landlord, Tenant, and Lease Defined
The relationship between a landlord and tenant is created by a contract, express or implied. A landlord is one whose land or property is held by another subject to payment of rent. A tenant is one who holds the land of the landlord, and must pay rent for the use and occupancy of the land or property. A lease is a contractual agreement that creates a landlord-tenant relationship. This contract defines the relationship between the parties, and contains provisions or clauses for the protection of both parties, including covenants, conditions, and conditional limitations.
 
Renting Without a Written Lease
• Real Property Law § 232
 
When two parties enter into a landlord-tenant relationship without a written lease, this arrangement is known as a "month-to-month tenancy." In this type of tenancy, the tenant continues to maintain possession of the property for successive monthly periods, beginning on a specific calendar day. If either the landlord or the tenant gives one calendar months notice of termination of the arrangement on the day beginning the arrangement, the arrangement will terminate at the beginning of the next monthly period. If, however, notice of termination is given to the tenant less than one calendar month before the beginning of the next "month to month" period, the tenant may remain in the apartment for an additional month. For example, if a landlord terminates a month to month tenancy on May 15, the tenant may remain on the premises until July 1.
 
Renting With a Written Lease
When two parties enter into a landlord-tenant relationship with a written lease, the tenancy is governed by the terms of the lease. This lease must be written in clear, plain language and divided into captioned sections. Upon termination of the lease period, the landlord has the option of increasing the rental price to correlate with the market value of the property (unless the property is subject to rent stabilization or rent control). Furthermore, if the tenant remains on the property upon the termination of the lease (known as a "holdover tenant"), the landlord can either (a) evict the tenant or (b) maintain the relationship as a "month-to-month" tenancy.
 
Delivery of Possession
• Real Property Law § 223

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Unless the lease specifically states otherwise, there is an implied condition in every lease that the landlord must give the tenant possession of the property on the first day of the term of the lease. If the landlord fails to do so, the tenant has the option of rescinding the lease, recovering all money he has paid, and seeking damages from the landlord.
 
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Condition of the Apartment
Warranty of Habitability
• Real Property Law § 235
 
In a landlord-tenant relationship, there exists an implied warranty of habitability, requiring that the landlord maintain all apartments and buildings in a condition fit for living and not dangerous to the life, health, or safety of the tenant. The landlord will be held liable for any violation of this warranty, even if the landlord is not at fault, unless the violation of the warranty is the result of the conduct of the tenant or the tenants guest.
 
If the warranty is violated, the tenant may withhold payment of rent until the condition is repaired or may take action to force the landlord to make needed repairs. If the landlord takes action against the tenant for nonpayment or eviction for nonpayment, the tenant may defend against such action with a claim that the warranty was violated. Furthermore, the tenant may claim "constructive eviction," leave the apartment, terminate the lease and withhold payment until the violation is corrected.
 
Repair
• Multiple Dwelling Law § 78
• Multiple Residence Law § 174
 
Landlords with 3 or more residential units must keep the entire building in good repair. However, this duty does not impose strict liability upon the landlord where it is shown that an injury or damages arose as a result of negligence or misconduct on the part of the tenant or his guests.
 
Cleanliness
• Multiple Dwelling Law § 80
• Multiple Residence Law § 174
 
Landlords with three or more residential units must keep the residential lot and all common areas clean and free of vermin, garbage, dirt, and all other material dangerous to the life or health of the tenants.
 
Rent-Impairing Violations
• Real Property Law § 235
 
Violations of the duties to repair, clean, or heat an apartment building give the tenant the right to withhold rent and file a complaint with the New York City Housing Preservation & Development Central Complaint Bureau at (212) 824-HEAT/TTY (212) 863-5504. If the landlord fails to make the necessary corrections within 6 months of the report of such violations, the landlord cannot recover any rent from any tenant affected by the condition during that period. If the landlord takes action to recover withheld rent or to evict a tenant for nonpayment, the tenant must deposit the rental amount in question with the court clerk to avoid eviction for nonpayment.
 
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Destruction of the Apartment
• Real Property Law § 227
 
Except where there is an express agreement in the lease to the contrary, if the building or apartment which the tenant rents is destroyed, and the tenant is not at fault, the tenant may vacate the premises without being held responsible for the rent from that time until the end of the lease. However, the destruction of the apartment must be so substantial as to render the apartment unfit for occupancy. Furthermore, the landlord must refund all rental payments made in advance for the period subsequent to the vacating of the premises.
 
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Tenant's Remedies
Attorney's Fees
• Real Property Law § 234
If a lease provides that the landlord may recover attorneys fees from action against the tenant arising out of the lease, the tenant may recover attorneys fees as well if the tenant succeeds in the defense or prosecution of an action or proceeding arising out of the lease.
 
Willful Violation of the Lease by the Landlord
• Real Property Law § 235
If a lease explicitly provides that the landlord perform a specific service for the tenant, such as providing utility services, the landlord may not intentionally or willfully fail to provide such service. Such activity is considered a breach of the "covenant of quiet enjoyment," and is considered a criminal violation.
 
Rent Deduction/Lack of Oil Delivery
A tenant (or group of tenants where 3 or more tenants reside) may deduct from rental payments the cost of heating oil when a lack of heat exists due to the landlords failure to have oil supplied to the premises. It is required that the tenant obtain the fuel oil from the landlords regular supplier and that all receipts be turned over to the landlord when a rent reduction is requested. The tenant may also recover costs and attorneys fees accrued as a result of an eviction action brought by the landlord resulting from the tenants activities under this section.
 
Rent Deduction/Non-Payment of Bills
If the landlord is responsible for providing and paying for utility services and fails to do so, the tenant may pay the bill(s) and subtract the amount paid from the rent.
 
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Entry by Landlord
The landlord may only enter the apartment during reasonable daytime hours unless the tenant requests otherwise. However, the landlord has the right of immediate entry in the event of an emergency involving a risk of loss of life, serious bodily harm, or substantial damage to property.
 
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Landlord's Liability for Negligence
• General Obligations Law § 5-321
 
The landlord is responsible for all damage to persons or property resulting from the negligence of the landlord, the landlords agents, or the landlords employees during the course of operation or maintenance of the building.
 
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Rent Receipts
The landlord is required to give a written receipt to all tenants upon payment of rent when paid by any means other than by check. The receipt must contain the date, the amount paid, the identity of the premises, the period for which the money paid is to be applied, and the signature and title of the person receiving the rent. If a tenant requests a receipt in writing for rent paid by personal check, the landlord must give the tenant a receipt containing the same information.
 
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Security Deposits
• General Obligations Law § 7-103
 
A tenant may be required by the landlord to pay a security deposit at the beginning of the lease to insure the landlord against potential damages and unpaid rent. The landlord may request up to one months rent to be held in security during the term of the lease. If the apartment is in a building with six or more units, the landlord is required by law to place the security deposit in a separate interest bearing bank account in New York State and notify the tenant concerning the bank in which it is being held.
 
If the security deposit is put into an interest-bearing account, the landlord may keep 1% of the amount deposited per year for administrative expenses, the remaining interest to be paid annually to the tenant or left to accumulate at the tenants option. If, at the end of the lease, the tenant does not owe any rent, and the apartment is in good condition except for normal or usual "wear and tear", the landlord must return the security deposit with interest within a reasonable time. If the security deposit is withheld without reason, the tenant may sue in Small Claims Court for return of the disputed amount. (See this Manuals chapter entitled Small Claims Court)
 
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Truth-In-Heating
The law requires that, prior to the signing of a purchase agreement, upon request from the potential buyer, the owner must provide up to two past years of heating and/or cooling bills and information regarding past insulation installments. This law extends to the landlord-tenant relationship as well. The landlord may not, however, disclose the identity of the present tenant. The burden is on the owner or the landlord to make all reasonable efforts to obtain and disclose all requested information.
 
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The local department of Social Services offers "HEAP" grants annually to assist low-income tenants with their heating costs. These grants may be sent to the heat provider and applied to the tenants account, or may be sent to the tenant directly. Applications for HEAP grants are taken in the winter and are advertised in local newspapers. Anyone over 62 years of age or disabled may apply by mail. Complaints about denials of applications should be directed to the State Office of Children and Family Services.
 
New York State Office of Children and Family Service
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, New York 12144-2796
1-518-473-7793
Fax: 1-518-486-7550
 
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Subletting/Assignment
In a building with 4 or more residential units, the tenant may sublet the apartment to another party for the remainder of the lease. The tenant must provide a written notice by certified mail to the landlord that includes the name and address of the proposed sublessee and the term of the sublease. If the landlord refuses to grant permission to sublet the apartment and does not provide a reasonable basis for the denial, this denial is ineffective. A tenant who sublets his or her apartment is still responsible to the landlord for all the rent which is due under the lease and for any damage caused by the sublessee and the sublessees guests.
 
A tenant may not assign his or her lease without the landlords written permission. The assignment of a lease transfers all of the rights of the original tenant to another person and leaves no contractual relationship between the landlord and the original tenant. Landlords may withhold permission to assign and need not give any reason. However, the tenant may cancel his or her lease if permission to assign it has been denied without a valid reason.
 
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Tenant Associations
Tenants have the right to organize and participate in the activities of any group or association of tenants. Tenant groups have the legal right to meet in common areas of the building at reasonable hours as long as these meetings do not interfere with the right of others to enter, leave, or move about the building.
 
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Discrimination
With the few exceptions listed below, it is illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent an apartment, flat, room or other housing accommodation to a tenant because of the tenants age, sex, religion, disability, marital status or because the tenant has children. Without exception, it is illegal to refuse to rent any type of housing accommodation the basis of someones race, color or national origin. It is also unlawful to change the terms or conditions of the tenancy solely because one of the characteristics listed above is present.
 
It is not illegal to refuse to rent to someone under the age of 18 due to the fact that minors are too young to be held liable for a contract or lease. It is important to note that in a situation where a landlord is renting half of a two family house in which he or she lives, the landlord may refuse to rent for any reason.
 
Landlords may restrict the rental of all rooms in a building to persons of the same sex. Landlords may also restrict residency to persons age 55 or older. Where this occurs, and the building is subsidized, insured or guaranteed by the federal government as a senior citizen housing complex, the landlord may also refuse to allow children to live there.
 
A legally blind, severely handicapped or mute person may not be denied occupancy or evicted from public housing because he or she owns a dog or cat, unless a public health hazard develops.
 
Landlords may not restrict occupancy to the tenants immediate family. As long as one tenant who has signed the lease lives in the apartment and the total number of persons living in the apartment does not exceed the number specified within the lease and within local zoning codes, anyone can live in a rented apartment.
 
Complaints involving housing discrimination should be directed to the New York State Division of Human Rights. A court may not choose to force the landlord to rent to the tenant, but it may award damages based on the value of the lost apartment. Tenants whose landlords have illegally denied occupancy because of the presence of children may seek damages, a court order and attorneys fees.
 
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Acceleration Clause in the Lease
A common lease clause states, in effect, that if the tenant does not pay the rent on time, the landlord can demand all of the rent that would have been due to the end of the term of the lease. In such a case, an eviction for non-payment would not extinguish the landlords claim for rent for the balance of the term. Two possible defenses against this claim are unconscionability, and the fact that the landlord was not financially damaged by the tenants action. The tenant will need to seek legal advice.
 
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Smoke Detectors
All apartment units in buildings with three units or more must be installed with smoke detectors.
 
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Eviction
In General
A tenant who fails to pay rent or otherwise violates the lease may be evicted, but only after the landlord obtains a court order. The process of eviction begins with service on the tenant of a Petition and Notice of Petition (or order to show cause). Failure to respond to the Petition or appear in court will result in automatic eviction.
 
The Petition
Service of the Petition and Notice of Petition must be made either personally on the tenant or delivered to a person of competent age and discretion who resides with the tenant. If neither of these options is available to the landlord, the Petition and Notice of Petition may be attached to the door of the apartment. However, if the Petition and Notice of Petition are not served directly on the tenant, those documents must also be mailed both by first class and by registered or certified mail to the defendant.
 
The Answer
The Petition may request that the tenant answer the allegations of the Petition in writing. If not, the tenant may answer personally in court on the date specified in the Petition.
 
Defenses
There are several possible defenses that a tenant may raise to specific allegations by the landlord that will avail the tenant of protection from eviction or payment of damages.
 
Holdover Tenants
Once the lease period has expired, if the tenant fails or refuses to vacate the premises, the landlord may bring an action for eviction. If the tenant is a "month-to-month" tenant, the landlord must give one calendar months written notice to the tenant, or a Notice to Vacate. The Notice to Vacate informs the tenant of the date of termination of the tenancy. It also informs the tenant that if (s)he fails to vacate on that date, the landlord may begin eviction proceedings. The tenant may defend against this eviction proceeding by showing that the landlord accepted rent after the termination date of the lease. In this situation, the "month-to-month" tenancy is reestablished, and the landlord may not evict the tenant.
 
The Warrant of Eviction
If the tenant does not respond to the Petition, or the court finds in favor of the landlord, the tenant will be served with a warrant signed by the judge, giving the tenant 3 days to vacate the premises. If the tenant fails or refuses to vacate the premises, the sheriff may remove the tenants property and lock him or her out of the apartment.
 
Forcible Entry
If the tenant is unlawfully evicted or kept out of the apartment "by force," the tenant may sue the landlord for treble damages.
 
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Cooperative/Condominium Conversion
In General
Provisions governing cooperative and condominium conversion are enacted by municipalities, and thus are not effective throughout New York State. The law requires offering plans to be filed with the Attorney General and protects eligible senior citizens and eligible disabled persons.
 
Offering Plans
Before a rental apartment building may be converted, the owner or sponsor must present an offering plan to each tenant and the Attorney General. The offering plan must disclose fully a complete description of the real estate interests. No sales or advertising may take place until the plan has been filed with the Attorney General.
 
Acceptance of the preliminary plan by the Attorney General indicates that the owner or sponsor has complied with the applicable laws. The Attorney General must either accept or reject the plan between 4 and 6 months from the date of submission of the plan. If the tenant believes that important facts have been omitted from the plan, the tenant should notify the Attorney General, at which point the Attorney General may require further investigation.
 
The owner or sponsor can choose to convert the building under an eviction plan or a non-eviction plan. The sponsor may change an eviction plan to a non-eviction plan by amendment to the original plan if the sponsor is unable to obtain the requisite number of purchasing tenants to maintain the eviction plan. In this event, the purchasing tenant has the option to rescind the lease within 30 days of the amendment. The sponsor may not, however, change a non-eviction plan to an eviction plan.
 
Eviction Plans
In an eviction plan, the purchaser of his or her apartment may evict a non-purchasing tenant after a certain time period. For the plan to become effective, 51% of the tenants occupying all apartments on the date the accepted plan is presented must agree in writing to purchase within 6 months. Every 30 days, the sponsor must post and submit to the Attorney General a list of the percentage of tenants who have signed agreements. Once an eviction plan is declared effective, a non-purchasing tenant may not be evicted for failure to purchase his apartment until the latter of (a) the expiration of his lease or (b) 3 years after the effective date of the offering plan. The owner may begin eviction proceedings after the expiration of these periods, and must give the non-purchasing tenant 90-days notice. If the apartment is under rent control, the owner may only evict if he seeks in good faith to recover it for his familys use or occupancy.
 
Non-Eviction Plans
Under a non-eviction plan, non-purchasing tenants may not be evicted for failure to buy their apartments. They continue to be rental tenants, but their apartments may be sold, at which time the tenant must pay rent to the purchaser.
 
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Rights of Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
Those who exceed 62 years of age and those who are disabled may choose not to purchase their apartments and are protected from eviction regardless of their income level or length of residency in the building. However, should senior citizens or disabled persons choose to purchase their apartments, even after they have exempted themselves, they can purchase at the price offered to other tenants in the building at the time that they decide to buy.
 
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Tenant's Exclusive Right to Purchase
Once an offering plan has been accepted and filed, the tenant has the exclusive right to purchase the apartment for 90 days. After that period, tenants have an additional 6 months to match the sales terms offered to outside buyers. If there is a substantial amendment to the plan, the 90-day exclusive right to purchase must be extended for an additional 30 days.
 
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Inspection of the Building
Tenants must be informed that they may physically inspect the building, during normal business hours and upon written request to the owner, after the initial plan is submitted to the Attorney General.
 
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Lease Renewals
While the initial plan is pending, the landlord may not refuse to renew the tenants lease. However, the landlord may insert a "90-day cancellation clause" in the new lease after an Eviction Plan is accepted for filing by the Attorney General and presented to the Tenants in Occupancy. Once the plan is declared effective, the landlord may cancel the lease of a non-purchasing tenant upon 90 days written notice. The tenant must comply with all terms in the new lease; if the landlord later cancels the lease, the tenant may recover all additional costs.
 
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Rights of Non-Purchasing Tenants
Non-purchasing tenants have the right to all services and facilities required by law ona non-discriminatory basis. Furthermore, no person may interfere with, interrupt, or discontinue any essential service that substantially disrupts the comfort or peace and quiet of any tenant in his or her use or occupancy of an apartment.
 
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Mitchell-Llama Housing
Mitchell-Llama housing is a state-administered program that subsidizes development of low-and moderate- income housing throughout New York State. Individuals and families who are unable to afford private housing and are above income eligibility for public housing are eligible. To be eligible, a family with two or fewer dependents cannot have an aggregate annual income in excess of seven times the annual housing rent of the project, while a family with three or more dependents has an income ceiling of 8 times the annual housing rent. Since all of these projects are privately owned, interested persons or families should apply directly to the individual rental offices in their area.
 
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Abandoned Buildings
The Department of Buildings is responsible for the enforcement of complaints about abandoned or vacant buildings that are structurally hazardous or not properly boarded up or sealed against intruders. Complaints must be filed with the Department, and the Department must locate the owner and serve notice that if the building is not sealed within 10 days, the Department will take him to court to seek an order that the building be sealed.  To file a compliant please dial 3-1-1 or contact the Department of Buildings Executive Office.  To obtain contact information of your local Department of Buildings office please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/home.html.
 
NYC Department of Buildings
280 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1801
Telephone: 1-212-566-4769
TTY: 1-212-566-4769
 
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Emergency Relocation
When a tenant is in need of housing after a fire or other emergency in the building, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development issues a vacate order, sends personnel to the site and attempts to assist the occupants. The Department helps to find apartments for tenants who do not have one, runs bonus programs to encourage such tenants to find their own housing, and provides temporary shelter to tenants. The vacate order requires the owner to correct the problem within 10 days, and the owner may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each unit if the correction is not made in that time. Furthermore, the owner may be required to make reasonable efforts to notify tenants of the right to reoccupy the building.
 
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Rent Stabilization/Rent Control
The Office of Rent Administration is responsible for regulating rents in approximately 1.2 million privately owned rental units statewide under four laws: the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law, the Local Emergency Tenant Control Act, the Rent Stabilization Law, and the Emergency Tenants Protection Act (ETPA). These four laws are the foundation of the rent regulation systems commonly known as rent control and rent stabilization. Rent Regulated Tenants may file complaints regarding individual apartment or building-wide services, rental amounts, lease renewals and harassment with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). Information sheets about Tenants rights under Rent Stabilization and Rent Control in addition to complaint forms may be obtained at District or Borough Rent Offices listed below, or may be downloaded from the DHCR website a www.dhcr.state.ny.us. Rent control is in effect in New York City and various cities, towns and villages in Albany, Erie, Nassau, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Westchester counties, while rent stabilization exists in New York City and in various municipalities in Nassau, Rockland and Westchester counties.
 
Bronx Borough Rent Office
One Fordham Plaza, 2nd Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
1-718-563-5678
 
Brooklyn Borough Rent Office
55 Hanson Place, 7th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
1-718-722-4778
 
Buffalo Rent Office
Statler Towers
107 Delaware Avenue, Suite 600
Buffalo, NY 14202
1-716-842-2244
 
Central Office for Rent Administration
Queens Rent Office
92-31 Union Hall Street, 4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433
1-718-739-6400
 
Harassment Unit:
Gertz Plaza
92-31 Union Hall Street
Jamaica, NY 11433
1-718-480-6239
 
Lower Manhattan Borough Rent Office: (South Side of 110th St. and below)
25 Beaver Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
1-212-480-6238 and 1-212-480-6239
 
Upper Manhattan Borough Rent Office: (North Side of 110th St. and above)
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Office Bldg
163 West 125th St, 5th Floor,
NY, NY 10027
1-212-961-8930
 
Nassau County Rent Office
50 Clinton Street, 6th Floor
Hempstead, NY 11550
1-516-481-9494
 
Rockland County Rent Office
94-96 North Main Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977
1-845-425-6575
 
Staten Island Borough Rent Office
60 Bay Street, 7th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301
1-718-816-0278
 
Westchester County Rent Office
55 Church Street, 3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10601
1-914-948-4434
 
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