Tanya Hobson-Williams | Queens Attorney

Do You Have a Right to Have Your Security Deposit Returned?

When you sign a lease for an apartment, it is customary to hand over a security deposit, which theoretically should be returned to you after the lease ends. And yet, many landlords will keep the security deposit, sometimes without giving an explanation as to why. So do you have a right to have your security deposit returned, and if so, what happens when your landlord violates that right?

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NYC Landlords Seek Increases for Rent Stabilized Apartments

Landlords attended a virtual hearing before the New York City Rent Guidelines Board on June 13, 2023, to ask for permission to raise rents for their rent stabilized apartments. Their rationale for asking for rent increases was to keep up with rising costs to maintain their apartment buildings, which have increased due to higher property taxes, maintenance costs, and insurance premiums. Tenant advocates want to keep rents from going up, expressing concerns about affordability in the city.

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Five Benefits of a Testamentary Trust You Should Consider

A testamentary trust can be an exceptionally useful tool for many people trying to plan their estates. However, it is not necessarily appropriate for everyone, and you should consider the benefits carefully, with the guidance of an experienced attorney, to see if it works for you. Here are five benefits of a testamentary trust you should consider:

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“Good Cause” Eviction Bills See Resistance From Landlords

Landlords in New York have issued objections about proposed “good cause” eviction bills that they believe would endanger their ability to make money renting out their properties. These bills, which have been circulating in the New York State Assembly, would significantly restrict landlords’ ability to evict tenants, as well as potentially limit the extent to which landlords could increase rents. Tenant advocates, meanwhile, are pushing for the bills in the face of what they consider to be abusive practices by landlords.

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What Happens if You Do Not Have Advance Directives in Place?

Advance directives are an important part of any estate plan, but not everyone has them in place for their future. As a result, they may not be ready for a potential circumstances that could arise requiring their loved ones scrambling to deal with the situations over which no one has control or authority.

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Five Signs of a Constructive Eviction to Watch Out For

A “constructive eviction” is the legal term used when someone is forced out of their rented property due to conditions on or in the property making the property unlivable or due to the conditions you have to leave your home and live elsewhere. A constructive eviction is illegal, and a tenant might not be held responsible for unpaid rent during a period where they have been constructively evicted if a judge finds that a constructive eviction occurred. Here are five signs of a constructive eviction you should watch out for:

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NYC Landlords Apply for Short-Term Rental “Prohibited Buildings” List

Around 1,500 landlords in New York City have applied for a new “prohibited buildings” list, that would allow them to exclude tenants from participating in short-term rental businesses like Airbnb. Landlords who successfully apply for this list, which became open on March 6, would be able to pass on fines from illegal short-term rentals to the tenants that host them. This is meant to help crack down on the growing trend of tenants renting out their apartments in Airbnbs, which some say has contributed to the issue of a lack of affordable housing.

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Five Important Facts About Becoming a Guardian

Obtaining guardianship for a loved one is a dramatic and unpleasant occasion, but it is often an essential step towards protecting a person and ensuring they receive the assistance they need. Unfortunately, many people become guardians without understanding the responsibilities that entails. Here are five things you need to know about becoming a guardian:

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Five Things You Need to Know About Appointing a Trustee

For many people, a trust is an integral part of their estate plan. An essential part of creating a trust is appointing the right Trustee. The Trustee is responsible for ensuring that the purpose of the trust and its terms are carried out. The Trustee is also responsible for ensuring that the trust assets are managed appropriately. Here are five things you should know about appointing a Trustee:

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Rollout of Medicaid Homecare Lookback Rule Delayed Until 2024

According to a recent announcement from the New York State Department of Health, the implementation of a Medicaid homecare “lookback” rule has been delayed until at least March 31, 2024. This delay means that people who might have been ineligible for Medicaid homecare benefits due to the lookback rule may now be able to obtain those benefits. However, anyone intending to apply for Medicaid to cover their homecare costs should begin planning now, to avoid potential legal issues when the rule is finally implemented.

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