Dos & Don'ts, Q & A, In the News, Landlord v. Tenant

Checking Contractors' Insurance Policy Exclusions

September 22, 2021    

The Insider spoke with Jonathan Steward, vice president/producer, O&S Insurance Brokerage Group, to discuss why there are more and more exclusions in contractors’ insurance policies—and how to guard against them.

Insider: New York State...

OTDA Officials Discuss ERAP's Delayed Rollout, Current Progress

August 25, 2021    

On Aug. 10, the state Senate held a hearing with officials from the Office of Temporary and Disability Insurance (OTDA) on the rollout of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

State Comptroller Reports on ERAP Challenges

August 25, 2021    

The Office of the New York State Comptroller recently issued a report on the problems plaguing the state's rent relief program. The report finds funds slow to move and not reaching low-income and minority New Yorkers. The report discusses the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)...

Landlord v. Tenant: August 2021

July 22, 2021    

HARASSMENT

Landlord Didn’t Have Control Over Resident Who Allegedly Harassed Tenant

Tenants sued landlord, claiming breach of warranty of habitability and violations of federal and state housing discrimination laws. The court granted landlord’s request to dismiss...

New Document Required for All Permits in DOB NOW

June 21, 2021    

The DOB’s new property ownership certification for Local Law 160 of 2017 is now available. According to a recent DOB Service Notice, as of June 30, 2021, all applications (except LAAs, electrical, and elevator jobs) will require this form to proceed in DOB NOW, the online platform for...

DOB Announces Construction Site Sweep for Safety Violations

June 21, 2021    

DOB Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca announced on June 1 that teams of DOB enforcement inspectors are mobilizing across the five boroughs to perform safety sweeps of construction sites, to ensure that they are safe for both workers and the public.

State Legislature Passes Bill Extending the J-51 Program

June 21, 2021    

The New York State Senate and Assembly recently passed legislation extending the J-51 property tax exemption and abatement program. The J-51 tax incentive is an as-of-right tax exemption and abatement for residential rehabilitation or conversion to multiple dwellings. J-51 participants are...

DEP Proposes Water Rate Increase for 2022

June 21, 2021    

Last month, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposed a water rate increase for all rate payers citywide. DEP proposed a 2.76 percent increase to the water rate in 2022 to the city’s Water Board. Last year, with the pandemic as a backdrop, the DEP recommended freezing...

Eviction Moratorium Extended Through August

May 20, 2021    

On May 5, Governor Cuomo signed a measure passed by the New York State Legislature that extends a moratorium on evictions through Aug. 31. The law extends the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020, which was passed in December, for an additional four months. The...

City Council Examines De Blasio’s $92.3B Preliminary Budget

March 19, 2021    

The New York City Council recently began its examination of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s preliminary budget for the 2022 fiscal year, which begins July 1. At $92.3 billion, it’s almost $3 billion less than this year’s budget. The mayor’s preliminary budget came out at a time of...

State Eviction Moratorium Pause Ends

March 19, 2021    

The COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020, signed by the governor on Dec. 28, 2020, suspended eviction and foreclosure proceedings for 60 days to give renters and homeowners the opportunity to submit a hardship declaration. The suspension ended Feb. 26.

Evictions Drop 80% in 2020

March 19, 2021    

A total of 3,059 tenants were evicted from New York City apartments in all of 2020, according to recent data provided by the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI). The data was compiled by DOI from reports submitted by city marshals, who are charged with enforcing court orders,...