City Launches Landlord-Tenant Mediation Project for Housing Security

The Community Dispute Resolution Centers will be available in all five boroughs. On July 21, 2020, Mayor de Blasio and the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity announced the start of a new mediation program for small landlords and tenants across the City. The Citywide Landlord-Tenant Mediation Project will provide both parties with an opportunity to resolve rent-related disputes outside of the housing court system to prevent evictions during the pandemic.


Housing Law and Policy in the Time of COVID-19 CLE Recap

Watch CLE HERE, Password: 8O*9^24?

On June 1, 2020, the Center for New York City Law, the Center for Real Estate Studies and the Impact Center for Public Interest Law at New York Law School hosted a virtual CLE. The topic was “Housing Law and Policy in the Time of COVID-19.” The CLE was led by Professor Andrew Scherer. Anthony Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School gave opening remarks.


REBNY Challenges Department of State’s Memo Prohibiting Broker’s Fees

Real estate community in state of confusion over 2019 Rent laws. On February 10, 2020, the Real Estate Board of New York Inc. (“REBNY’”), the New York State Associations of Realtors (“NYSAR”) and a host of residential real estate brokerages were granted a temporary restraining order, blocking the New York State Department of State’s guidance on broker commissions. The TRO comes in conjunction with their Article 78 filing seeking to invalidate the memorandum’s entire section … <Read More>



Andrew Scherer on Keeping New Yorkers in their Homes

On August 11, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a local law that guaranteed legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction in New York City’s Housing Court. One of the bill’s major champions was Andrew Scherer, Policy Director of the Impact Center for Public Interest Law at New York Law School, who began fighting for housing justice decades earlier.


Waiver granted to Doctoroff on City projects

Former Deputy Mayor holds new position at Bloomberg LP. On January 11, 2008, Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff left City Hall to become President of Bloomberg LP, which has a landlord-tenant relationship with Vornado Realty. On January 14th, First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris sought a waiver from the Conflicts of Interest Board that would allow Doctoroff to continue to serve the City as an unpaid adviser for PlaNYC 2030, Moynihan Station, Queens West, and as … <Read More>