Community Block Parties

Local Community Boards are an integral part of the approval process to close down a City street for a block party. As the cold, gray dreariness of winter in New York City subsides and the summer weather brings the City streets back to life, block party season is right around the corner. Throughout the streets of New York City, thousands of street related-events are held annually. In the interests of ensuring safety and maintaining … <Read More>


$5,000 fine imposed on e-bike seller

Shop in lower Manhattan offered electric bikes for sale. Arrow Ebikes, Inc, located on 287 Broome Street in Manhattan, specializes in selling and servicing electric bikes (e-bikes). On November 23, 2015, a Department of Consumer Affairs officer observed Arrow Ebikes displaying ten e-bikes for sale. E-bikes are considered motorized scooters because they are a wheeled device with handlebars and are powered by an electric motor. (See City Law Volume 22, Number 1). The … <Read More>


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>



Permission to Operate Sidewalk Café Upheld on Appeal

Landlord was required by lease to consent to tenant’s operation of a sidewalk café, absent a good-faith basis.  DMF Gramercy Enterprises, Inc. has operated Pete’s Tavern, a sidewalk café at 129 East 18th Street in Gramercy, Manhattan, and claims to be the longest continuously-operating bar and restaurant in New York City.  DMF Gramercy has operated Pete’s since 1964 when it entered into a lease with the building’s then-owner. The current owner is the Lillian Troy … <Read More>


Paid Sick Leave Act

New Yorkers may start using earned leave time next month. On April 25, 2014, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce hosted a Paid Sick Leave Forum at the Brooklyn Public Library to help explain the City’s newly implemented Earned Sick Time Act, also known as the Paid Sick Leave Law. The forum focused on helping employers understand their responsibilities under the law and ensuring their compliance with the rules. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office and Department <Read More>