As a landlord, there's no better feeling than finding the perfect tenant. The person takes care of the property, always pays on time and is serious about following the terms and conditions of the lease.Unfortunately, even if you have a good relationship with your...
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Guidelines for keeping and returning a security deposit
The return of a security deposit is one of the most common landlord-tenant disputes. This payment can keep your tenants from costing you extra in repairs.However, if it's not handled correctly, it could also result in a lawsuit against you. Here are a few guidelines...
What is tenant harassment?
Having a difficult tenant may make a landlord wish there was some way to encourage that tenant to move elsewhere. However, if the tenant believes the landlord is guilty of harassment, it could lead to legal issues. In fact, the tenant may file a claim of harassment in...
New secondhand smoke laws for property owners and tenants
No property manager enjoys receiving complaints from an angry tenant against a neighboring tenant. Many complaints seem vindictive, frivolous or overblown; however, legitimate complaints about behaviors that violate lease agreements do occur. Negotiable tenant...
Do landlords have to allow service animals?
Landlords have a right to decide whether tenants can have animals on the property. Some landlords can outright ban pets from the premises while other landlords can create conditions, such as how the pet cannot be a nuisance and put other tenants in danger....
Why you may want to become a Section 8 landlord
As a New York landlord, you naturally want to maximize the amount of rent you receive for each of your houses or apartment units. You also want responsible tenants who will pay rent on time and not misuse or destroy your property. Have you ever considered becoming a...
How easy is it to sublet your apartment?
In New York, the short answer to the above question is “not very.” Subleasing in our state is a reasonably complicated process and one which takes a fair amount of time. You cannot simply sublet to someone else on the spur of the moment and ask permission – or...
When can landlords enter apartments without permission?
There are many contentious issues landlords and tenants come up against. One that has taken the forefront in New York concerns whether security deposits for apartments are too high. Over the course of a lease, a landlord may need to enter the tenant's apartment. In...
What can landlords do when evicting tenants who don’t leave?
In the event your tenant has broken an agreement within the lease, you will have grounds for eviction but must follow detailed steps. You must first obtain a warrant from a court clerk. Once you have the warrant signed, you will be able to hire a constable, sheriff or...
What are the most common types of lease breaches?
Whether you are a New York landlord or tenant, your lease is the legal document by which you protect your property as a landlord or occupy the leased premises as a tenant. A strong written lease sets forth what each party will do – and not do – during the lease term...