Landlord-tenant attorney for New York City property owners
I represent owners in Housing Court and in the everyday legal work of running a building. In rent-stabilized buildings, the regulatory record decides many Housing Court cases before the facts do.
What I handle for owners
- Nonpayment proceedings in the Housing Part of the New York City Civil Court
- Holdover proceedings, including nonprimary residence, nuisance, and expiration of unregulated tenancies
- Rent demands, predicate notices, and lease termination notices
- Lease and renewal drafting and review
- HPD violations and building compliance
Rent-stabilized apartments in Housing Court
A nonpayment case on a stabilized apartment asks for rent the law allows, not rent the lease states. If the apartment's registrations are missing, or the rent demanded is above the registered legal rent, tenants raise it as a defense or counterclaim, and the case can turn into an overcharge case. I check the registration history before the case is filed, not after the tenant's answer.
Holdover grounds against stabilized tenants are limited. Since the 2019 HSTPA, an owner can recover only one apartment for personal use, and must show an immediate and compelling need. Nonprimary residence and nuisance cases turn on evidence gathered before the notice is served.
Unregulated apartments
New York City's 2024 Good Cause Eviction law limits evictions and rent increases for many unregulated apartments as well, with exemptions that depend on the owner and the building. Whether it applies should be settled before a notice goes out.
Have Evan review it
Send the lease, the rent ledger, and, for a stabilized apartment, its DHCR registration history. I will tell you whether the case is ready to file and quote a flat fee.
Flat fee, quoted in writing before any work begins. Written memo delivered on a fixed date.