After the passage of New York’s “good cause” law back in April, landlords have increasingly complained about longer times for eviction lawsuits. This law grants tenants additional rights that help protect them against eviction, but litigating these cases can sometimes take over a year. As a result, landlords have shown anger at tenants sometimes staying in their apartments for months without paying rent, or while otherwise in violation of their leases.
New York’s Good Cause Law
The good cause law, as it is called, granted certain rights to tenants and made it harder for tenants to be evicted by their landlords. Most importantly, this included the requirement that tenants could only be evicted for “good cause,” meaning due to nonpayment of rent or serious lease violations. It also placed a cap on how high landlords can raise rents when a lease is set to be renewed.
Increased Complaints From Landlords
While the passage of the good cause eviction law has generally been positive for tenants, landlords have generally felt differently. For one, it is now much harder to evict tenants, since the “good cause” requirement imposes stricter standards for determining whether someone should be evicted. Moreover, it is harder for landlords to raise their rents, meaning they cannot profit off their properties quite as much as they previously could.
Growing Delays For Eviction Lawsuits
In addition, landlords have seen the overall length of eviction proceedings lasting a year or longer. In some cases, this has resulted in tenants spending months in their apartments without paying any rent or use and occupancy, much to the frustration of the landlords who cannot legally evict. Landlords who have tried to skirt the law to remove tenants illegally, will face harsher penalties for doing so.
How This Could Impact You
If you are a landlord, you may be facing significant frustration as a result of the good cause law. However, if you are a tenant, this new law can help you avoid being evicted without cause. Either way, you should make sure you speak to a lawyer with experience handling landlord-tenant matters, who can advise you on how the new law may affect your legal position.
If you are in a dispute with your landlord and want to know more about protecting yourself, do not wait until it is too late. You should seek advice from an attorney experienced in handling landlord-tenant disputes, who can advise you on your rights and help you avoid the risk of eviction. Contact the skilled landlord-tenant attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C. Contact us online, toll-free (866) 825-1529 or (718) 210-4744 to discuss your rights and the solutions available to you.
