The relationship between landlords and tenants can be rocky and hard to navigate, especially when legal matters are at play. But, the fact is, both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities. The problem comes in when either party oversteps its legal boundaries.
If you are a landlord and want to evict a tenant in New York, you must have legal grounds for doing so. In other words, you cannot evict a tenant just because you no longer get along with them. While the law is in place to protect both parties, here are valid reasons why a landlord can evict a tenant in New York.
Violation of lease agreement
A landlord is within their legal right to evict a tenant who violates the lease agreement terms. Lease violations can include subletting the property to occupants not included on the lease contract, routinely failing to pay rent on time or failing to abide by other policies such as no-pet policy. Sometimes, it may be worth discussing the issue with the tenant with the hope of resolving the matter. Just be sure to have any resolution made in writing and signed by both parties.
Damage to property
While normal wear and tear are expected, a tenant may sometimes cause damage beyond minor nail holes in the wall or scuffs on the baseboards. When the damages go beyond the normal wear and tear, the landlord may have reason to evict the tenant in question. Damages that are considered excessive include:
- Significant plumbing damages
- Knocking holes in the wall
- Leaving the property unclean to the point that it becomes a health and safety hazard
Landlords have many responsibilities on their hands, from rental property inspection to managing staff and dealing with resident issues. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel the need to evict a tenant, you must follow the law while doing so.
