As a landlord, you will want to know that your tenants will look after your property well. You may have been happy to rent to a young professional couple. You know they can pay the rent and are beyond the age where parties can get out of hand and leave the place a...
Landlord/Tenant Law
Can a landlord retain a security deposit over smoke damage?
Although a rental relationship can be beneficial for both landlords and tenants, there are also risks involved for everyone. Tenants might be at risk of losing their place to live when the property changes ownership or when they experience financial hardship....
Can your landlord enter your apartment when you’re not there?
Imagine that you come home from work and you just want to relax after a long day. But when you get home, your apartment door is open and someone is already inside. It’s your landlord, they entered your apartment unannounced. Or, perhaps you got home and thought it...
Communicating professionally with your tenants
Communication is crucial between landlords and tenants. In addition to being intentional about what you communicate with your tenants, you should also pay attention to the communication channel you use. When a tenant moves in, you will provide them with your preferred...
What is a holdover proceeding in New York?
Not every eviction proceeding that a landlord feels compelled to file against a tenant in New York has to do with the nonpayment of rent. Holdover cases are brought to evict tenants for a variety of reasons – all of which tend to be more complicated than a simple...
Landlords should know these ADA requirements
In New York, landlords have a legal obligation to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for rental properties. This federal law was designed to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination. For landlords, this means ensuring that rental...
Can landlords prevent tenants from having overnight guests?
New York landlords often create custom leases to protect their interests as much as possible. They sometimes attempt to include terms in their leases that they cannot actually enforce. For example, some landlords may include clauses in their leases limiting overnight...
Who is responsible for shoveling walkways when it snows?
In New York, the responsibility for snow removal from walkways associated with rental properties often hinges on the specific terms of both a tenant’s lease agreement and local ordinances. This responsibility can be a point of confusion – and possible contention – for...
What happens when a New York tenant dies?
Until recently, when a tenant died and still had a lease, landlords had two options: Assuming there was no family member with succession rights to the place, the landlord could either consider the lease terminated or they could allow the tenant’s obligation under the...
Is your landlord meeting all their responsibilities?
When you rent a property in New York, knowing your rights as a tenant is essential. One aspect of tenant rights is understanding your landlord's responsibilities. The best way to know if your landlord is fulfilling these responsibilities is to understand what they...