DCA Ruled Wrong on Posting Tenants’ Rights Sign

The Department of Consumer affairs charged a real estate broker with failing to post a sign alerting tenants of their rights. Arash Real Estate & Management Co is a residential and real estate broker located in Queens. In January 2013 the Department of Consumer Affairs charged Arash with violating the City Administrative Code by failing to post signs advising tenants of their rights to one free tenant screening report annually from each consumer reporting … <Read More>


Challenge to Landmarks’ Approval of Gansevoort Redevelopment Fails

Landmarks Commission approved redevelopment of five buildings in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. On June 7, 2016, the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted, in a divided decision, to award Certificates of Appropriateness to redevelop a block face in the Gansevoort Market Historic District between Greenwich and Washington Streets in Manhattan. The work, spanning five buildings and three tax lots, entailed the construction of three additional stories onto a two-story building at 60-68 Gansevoort Street, … <Read More>


Zero Percent Rent Increase in 2016 Upheld

Landlord’s association challenged the Rent Guidelines Board’s 2016 decision to authorize a zero percent increase for one year leases. On June 27, 2016, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board promulgated the annual guidelines for rent adjustments for rent stabilized apartments. The Board allowed no increase in rent for one year renewal leases and a two percent increase for two year renewals.


Hotel Use Ruled Unlawful

Hotel continued to operate transient use despite amendments to the Multiple Dwelling Law. The Royal Park Hotel, located at 258 West 97th St., Manhattan, operates as a transient use hotel. On July 5, 2012, Buildings issued a notice of violation to the Royal Park Hotel charging that it was operating as a transient hotel in violation of its 1964 certificate of occupancy. The 1964 certificate of occupancy classified the building as class A, a … <Read More>


Tenant Denied Move Within Building

Mitchell-Lama tenant sought to move to a different two-bedroom apartment in building, but failed to meet the occupancy requirements of three persons. In 2014, Lawrence Wilson and his partner occupied a two-bedroom apartment in a Mitchell-Lama building. They sought to move to a different two-bedroom apartment in the same building. Another couple, Nickita Skopelitis and Joann Papamichael, who lived in the same building with their child, also sought to transfer to the same two-bedroom apartment.


Tenant Waived Right to File Challenge Against Loft Board

Loft tenant filed a petition to annul a New York City Loft Board’s amended final determination that the fourth floor consisted of two separate and distinct apartment units, claiming he was the occupant of the entire floor. SMC Associates, the owner of a loft at 329 Greenwich Street, filed plans to legalize two units on the fourth floor of the building. Longtime tenant Stephen Grant challenged the legalization plan, claiming that the space on the … <Read More>