New York State recently implemented a new law known as the Good Cause Eviction Law, which went into effect on April 20, 2024. This law substantially changed the rules regarding evictions across the state, making it harder for landlords to excessively increase rent or force tenants out of their apartments without good reason. But what exactly is a “good cause” eviction, and how might that impact you?
What is a Good Cause Eviction?
In simple terms, the new law prevents landlords from removing a tenant from their apartment without demonstrating good cause for the eviction, even if the apartment is a market rent apartment not subject to rent stabilization laws. It also prevents the landlord from implementing unreasonably high rent increases on tenants attempting to renew their lease. The law also prevents landlords from refusing to renew a tenant’s lease with a sufficient reason.
What Kinds of Reasons Are Considered a “Good Cause?”
There are a number of reasons that are considered a good cause for eviction under the new law. These include, but are not limited to:
- Failing to pay rent for any reason other than an unreasonable rent increase
- Breach of the terms of the lease or other rules set by the landlord
- Tenant has caused damage to the property
- Tenant is a nuisance to other tenants
- Tenant is using the apartment for an illegal purpose
- Property has been vacated due to an order by a government agency
- Tenant refused to allow landlord access to the apartment to perform repairs
How is This Different From the Previous Law?
Under the previous version of the law, landlords had substantially more room to remove a tenant they did not like. They could raise rents to the point that the current tenant could no longer reasonably afford to stay there, or simply refuse to renew the lease for a tenant they wanted to remove. This made it much harder for tenants to maintain their housing, through no fault of their own.
What Should You Do if You Are Facing Eviction?
If you have received an eviction notice from your landlord, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling landlord-tenant law. They can review your case and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your situation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work for you.
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.
