Some landlords believe that they can enter a property at any time because they are technically the owner of that real estate. On the other hand, some tenants believe that they always have a right to privacy and that a landlord can never come into the home or apartment...
landlord-tenant disputes
Can a landlord prohibit tenants from having overnight guests?
Maybe you recently purchased a property and intend to rent it out to others, and you want to make sure that your lease adequately protects your interests. Perhaps you are a tenant who just started a romantic relationship and suddenly started getting fee invoices from...
How should landlords deal with disabled tenants and applicants?
As a landlord, the term disabled tenant may automatically cause you to worry about the safety of tenants with disabilities. What if they fall while residing on your property? What if they try to sue you for the accident? Disabled individuals have the right to fair...
Can I evict a tenant for an unauthorized pet?
Landlords have several legitimate reasons why they include pet policies on their rental contracts. A good pet policy protects the rental property, complies with insurance regulations and ensures that everyone is safe. Some landlords opt to include a “no pet” clause in...
Is it fair to ban criminal background checks by landlords?
The “Fair Chance for Housing Act” is slowly moving forward through the New York City Council’s review, despite fierce opposition from landlords – and maybe some tenants. The proposed law had a lot of support from council members and the city’s mayor, but not everybody...
Reasons a landlord can keep a security deposit
Landlords often take security deposits when someone signs a new lease. You’ve probably heard people complain that landlords will try to keep these for reasons that are not valid. And, while that certainly does happen in some situations, it’s also important to note...
Rent controls, IAIs and MCIs: What you should know
Rent stabilization laws can sometimes create a lot of confusion for both landlords and tenants alike – because even a rent-controlled apartment can have the rent raised when the landlord needs to make some improvements. Landlords (and tenants) should understand the...
Can a landlord charge more if you have children?
It’s fairly common for a landlord to charge an extra fee if someone has a pet. They understand that the pet may cause extra damage to the apartment, and they may have to have it repaired or cleaned when the tenant moves out. The landlord may not deny the pet entirely...
Understanding succession rights in New York rentals
If you’ve had your eye on a parent or grandparent’s rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment as a way to finally be able to afford to live in New York, you may have heard about succession rights. Let’s take a brief look at what these are (and aren’t). First of...
Handling a dispute with your tenant
Disputes with a tenant are almost inevitable. You may have a misunderstanding about trivial issues like minor repairs to a full-blown fallout over things like non-payment of rent or damage to the property. Either way, you need to find an efficient and cost-effective...