Navigating the complex landscape of eviction laws in New York City is no picnic and the fact is that there’s a lot for tenants to know! All too often, tenants aren’t familiar with their rights as a lack of education is one of the biggest things landlords can take advantage of. According to Mr. Eric Firestone, the best real estate lawyer Queens has in practice, understanding your rights and responsibilities can make a significant difference in preventing evictions. In this article, Mr. Firestone will help us outline five essential New York City eviction laws that every tenant should be aware of
Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent
This is probably the most basic and important thing tenants should know, but it’s often forgotten. New York City law requires landlords to follow a specific legal process when seeking eviction for non-payment of rent. Tenants have the right to receive a written notice of rent arrears and are given 14 days to pay the overdue rent or face eviction proceedings. According to Mr. Firestone, the top real estate transaction lawyer Queens has in practice, It’s important for tenants to keep records of rent payments to dispute any wrongful eviction attempts in the future.
Protection Against Retaliation
New York City tenants are protected from retaliation by landlords for exercising their legal rights. This means that if a tenant reports a violation, joins a tenant association, or files a complaint, the landlord cannot respond with eviction or other punitive actions – as can often happen, according to Queens real estate attorney, Eric Firestone. Tenants who believe they are facing retaliation should document all relevant information and consult an attorney.
Right to a Safe and Habitable Home
Tenants have the right to a safe and habitable living environment in accordance with New York City’s housing maintenance code. Landlords are legally obligated to maintain the property and address any necessary repairs promptly. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, tenants can report the issue to the city’s housing agency, HPD (Housing Preservation and Development).
Protection Against Illegal Lockouts
New York City law strictly prohibits landlords from engaging in illegal lockouts. Landlords must follow the legal eviction process, which involves obtaining a court order to remove a tenant. As a Queens real estate transaction lawyer, Mr. Firestone has helped countless clients facing illegal lockouts over the years. It’s important to know, locking a tenant out without a court order is illegal, and tenants who experience this should contact the police and seek legal assistance immediately.
Tenant Harassment Laws
Way too many tenants face harassment for all kinds of reasons, and a real estate attorney Queens experts like Mr. Firestone often takes on clients who’ve been evicted on all types of unfair grounds. New York City has implemented tenant harassment laws to protect tenants from aggressive or intrusive actions by landlords or their representatives. These laws prohibit practices such as repeatedly requesting access to a tenant’s apartment without a legitimate reason, shutting off essential services, and creating unsafe conditions to force a tenant out – as well as instances where landlords unfairly treat tenants on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender and more.
For more information on tackling landlord tenant issues and other real estate law help, be sure to contact Eric Firestone today.