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:
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.
A surprising number of people who are currently renting an apartment do not know that they have a legal right to safe and comfortable living conditions. When someone is forced out of their apartment due to poor conditions, it is known as a “constructive” eviction. But what does a constructive eviction look like in practical terms, and what should you do if it happens to you?
Rent stabilized apartments are among the most sought after apartments you can find in New York City, but the competition to get them is fierce. This is because they are often the most affordable living spaces in the entire city, with rents significantly lower than other, unregulated apartments. But what does it mean for an apartment to be rent stabilized, and what rights do you have if you are a tenant in a rent stabilized unit?
It is the legal responsibility of every landlord to ensure their rented properties are adequately maintained, so they are safe and habitable. However, not every landlord is diligent about ensuring apartments are well-maintained, leading to the state of their apartments slowly deteriorating. What should you do when your landlord refuses to maintain your apartment? Continue reading “What Should You Do When the Landlord Won’t Maintain Your Apartment?”
The Rent Guidelines Board, which regulates rent stabilized apartments across New York City, is set to increase rents for residents in regulated units by 3.25%, or in some cases, up to 5%. This increase is set to be the largest yearly increase in rents for regulated apartments in years. In total, around two million New Yorkers will be affected by this increase in rents, potentially straining their finances.
The New York State legislature passed a bill that extends the state’s moratorium on residential evictions until January 15, 2022. The bill extends the pre-existing eviction moratorium, which has been in effect since March, 2020. The extension comes as the moratorium expired on Tuesday night August 31, 2021, which could have resulted in thousands of New Yorkers being evicted and potentially homeless. Continue reading “NY State Legislature Extends Residential Eviction Moratorium”
A “constructive eviction” is the legal term for someone being chased out of their rented property due to inhospitable or inhabitable conditions. In other words, when someone has been subjected to a constructive eviction, they have effectively been kicked out of their home because it is no longer possible to live there in safety or comfort. Here are five of the most common reasons for constructive evictions: Continue reading “Five Common Reasons for Constructive Eviction”
Most landlords will require their tenants to give them a security deposit as part of their lease agreement. In theory, the security deposit is just meant to cover costs of any damage a tenant might cause to the apartment aside from normal wear and tear upon the tenant vacating the apartment with any unused money returned to the tenant. Some landlords may attempt to improperly keep the money from the deposit, which can lead to litigation. Here are just a few common reasons people sue over their security deposit: Continue reading “Why Do People Sue Over Their Security Deposit?”
When a tenant gets into a dispute with their landlord, it can seem at first like the landlord holds the upper hand. That said, tenants have legal rights when it comes to their relationship with their landlord, if the Tenant knows how and when to exercise them. Here are four things you should do if you get into a dispute with your landlord: Continue reading “What Should You Do If You Get in a Dispute With Your Landlord”
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