Mayor Signs Tenants’ Bill Of Rights into Law

Laws require tenants to be informed of landlord responsibilities and increase penalties for tenant harassment. On September 30, 2014 Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Local Law 45 and Local Law 47 of 2014 into law. The bills, referred to as the Tenants’ Bill Of Rights, were sponsored by Council Member Fernando Cabrera and Council Member Margaret Chin respectively, and are directed to increase protection of New York City tenants.


Tenants stop eviction from M-1-zoned building

Owner tries to evict tenants based on zoning while seeking to convert building to residential use. Amy Kreiling and Roy Williams leased a studio unit from Thames Realty, owner of a loft building located within a manufacturing zoning district in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Although the lease limited their use to business purposes, the tenants used the unit as their residence. Five years into the tenancy, Thames notified them that it wished to terminate the lease. When … <Read More>


Governor Announces $514k Settlement Against Landlord for Overcharging Rent

On February 14, 2024, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a settlement of $514,000 by New York State Homes and Community Renewal Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) against Manhattan landlord Steven Croman of Centennial Properties for unlawfully defrauding renters. Croman was found guilty of engaging in a scheme to lease regulated units for less than one or two years which in turn made apartments unavailable for New Yorkers in search of safe, stable housing. The … <Read More>


City Initiative to Help Create Affordable Housing for CityFHEPS Voucher Holders

On February 8, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced the Affordable Housing Services (AHS) initiative that will serve to create 1,500 permanent affordable homes. The homes created under AHS will specifically aid New Yorkers who are exiting the shelter system with City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers. In addition to the launch of AHS today, DSS has … <Read More>


Housing Unable to Bring Harassment Claim

Judge finds that The Department of Housing does not have the authority to bring a cause of action for harassment within the Housing Maintenance Code. Juda and Baruch Rosenfeld own a property located at 180 East 18 Street, Brooklyn, New York. The Department of Housing Preservation sued the Rosenfeld’s for allegedly failing to comply with Housing Maintenance Code violations, and for harassing tenants.


Governor Signs Legislation Establishing Public Housing Preservation Trust for NYCHA

The trust allows NYCHA to access new streams of revenue to help fund the renovations of 25,000 apartments. On Thursday, June 16th, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which created the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust. The Trust will give the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) access to new streams of revenue and will allow for necessary repairs to 25,000 apartments in NYCHA developments. These repairs have been deferred due to a … <Read More>