New Bill Targets Landlord Mistreatment of Senior Citizens

It is estimated that over 45 percent of New York’s senior citizens have been in their homes for decades. Most of these seniors are housed in rent-regulated apartments and recently, it has come to light that many landlords have engaged in unfair and cruel practices in an attempt to get rid of long-term tenants and make more money. The claims of such mistreatment of senior citizens began to multiply in 2013 and as a result a bill has been introduced in the New York City Council that will increase penalties of such behavior and hopefully send a message to the landlords of New York City.

The bill, which was introduced early in 2014, sets to double the maximum civil penalty to $10,000 for property owners who abuse seniors. The legislation would also place such property owners on a black list maintained by the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

City Councilwoman Margaret Chin, who sponsored the legislation, said that most elder abuse comes in the form of cutting heat or hot water, refusing necessary repairs on apartments and/or constant harassment.

As many as 120,000 senior residents (12 percent of the city’s elderly population) suffer abuse annually, according to 2011 data from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Such a bill can be an important step in the right direction and will demonstrate that such mistreatment by landlords will not be tolerated.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of unfair treatment by your landlord, it is crucial to contact an attorney and understand your rights. A skilled attorney can afford you the representation you deserve and ensure your legal rights as a tenant are being protected.

Written by Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John’s University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.

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Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.

8 thoughts on “New Bill Targets Landlord Mistreatment of Senior Citizens”

  1. We have a situation with Apt. Community director and assistant. Its at point that its affecting us physically and emotionally.

  2. When an apartment complex for seniors makes you renew your lease three months early, yet when you use that date when they made you renew, to put in your 60 day notice , which reaches the month your lease was renewed last year, they try to make you pay one months rent stating you broke lease another words you don’t get your deposit back and you pay difference that comes to full months rent.

  3. Very hostile and harassing landlord towards me a long time tenant of many years, a good tenant, quiet and respectful. He has singled me out with a over 60 percent rent increase over any of the other same size apt, no improvement actually more neglect than the others. Threats,verbal abuse, and rage, of you can leave, well just leave he says. I am older years disabled in central florida. This has caused me enormous emotional hardship and distress, sleepless nights and daily care affected on me.

  4. Afraid to speak up against newer sr apt mgr, i feel singled my mom out, kind of harrassment, my mom has lived here 25 yrs, never a problem, im afraid she will evict my mom if i speak against her. Has had given my mom 3 write ups for bogus stuff. What do i do?

  5. My moms landlord refuses to make repairs because her apartment was messy. I spent 24 hours cleaning and organizing. He constantly tells her how he can get “so much more” money for her apartment once shes out and he updates it. He won’t perform any updates, Fine but her light is out and he stated “I don’t want an electrician in here, it’s embarassing”. Well now its cleaned up. I worked hard but im scared to speak out, hes police and knows the bare minimum he can do to not be held accountable. He is manipulative. Im scared of blow back and her getting evicted if I take action. At 73 she lives in constant fear she will be homeless. She has cancer, is lonely, i even moved closer but im so stressed too. He acts like he’s kind and understanding yet keeps her in emotional turmoil. Is this emotional abuse? I just want him to leave her alone.

  6. OUR MANAGER SAID TO 66 YR OLD STAGE 4 THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE DOCUMENT OR MOVE YET DID LEASE MONTHS AGO SHE’S TERRIBLE &HAS RESIDENTS DO DIRTY WORK PLUS HAVE OUR KEYS THATS HORRIBLE*PLUS THERE’S BARBECUE GOING ON ON WOOD BALCONIES & SMOKING IN BUILDING*SHE THREATENED ME NOT KNOWING FACTS ABOUT SITUATION I TOLD HER PUT IT ON PAPER *OUR RENT WENT UP 3 TIMES A YR DURING COVID-19 SHE’S HARDLY HEAR &I GAVE HER DOCUMENT WHEN IN APRIL SHE WANTED LEASE RENEWAL FOR JULY 1

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