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...
landlord-tenant disputes
landlord-tenant disputes
What if tenants ‘upgrade’ an apartment in unsafe ways?
As a landlord, you want your tenants to be safe. You know that this is generally your responsibility. You also want the building to be safe because the property itself is an asset. A fire, for instance, doesn’t just put your tenants at risk. It also damages or...
Can a landlord prevent tenants from smoking in their unit?
People paying to rent a home or an apartment usually expect to have the freedom to decide what they do in their own space. However, the actions of a resident or tenant can impact the value of the property itself and the experience of tenants in adjoining or nearby...
Can renters use apartment space to run a home business?
Space is hard to come by in New York, which often means that people have to get creative in finding solutions for their personal and business needs. With rental prices for commercial properties so high, those trying to start a small business might feel like the best...
Can New York landlords charge a fee for tenants to keep pets?
Few things pit landlords and tenants against one another as quickly as questions about pets. Many people consider pets non-negotiable because they are part of the family. However, landlords often don't want to accommodate them because of the damage they can cause to...
Landlords and tenants play a role in pest management
There are many responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. Many of these are spelled out in the rental contracts that are signed when a person rents an apartment or home. One thing that both must be willing to take part in is pest prevention and management. ...
Dealing with squatters in New York City
Sometimes, landlords will buy foreclosed or distressed properties at auction for far lower prices than their true value. They may intend to fix it up to flip it or to make it into multiple tenant units. But somewhere between that gavel falling and now, your efforts...
What if apartment damage costs more than the deposit?
The entire point of the security deposit on an apartment isn’t to take extra rent money from the tenants. It’s to ensure that damage to the unit can be repaired when the tenant leaves. Getting that money after the fact would be very hard, so landlords take money at...
Knowing the rights of your New York tenants can minimize disputes
If you are a landlord in the Forest Hills area of New York, you may find it challenging to keep up with state residential landlord-tenant laws. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge or understanding cannot help you when landlord-tenant disputes arise. One of the best...
Why do tenants suddenly stop paying their rent?
When a tenant stops paying their rent, it’s only natural for the landlord to get frustrated. A lack of communication from the tenant can make the situation worse, and leave the landlord floundering as they try to figure out how to react. Sometimes, landlords can...
