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Can Landlords Charge Late Fees in New York?
By September 29, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
A number of executive orders have been passed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo extending and expanding the temporary suspension of several New York state laws due to the COVID-19 crisis. Many landlords have inquired if they are permitted to charge late fees to tenants who continue to pay their rent late.
Federal Eviction Moratorium – CDC Order
September 4, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
The Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an Order to be published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2020. This Order issues a nationwide eviction moratorium, beginning on Friday, September 4, 2020, which will run through the end of the year, ending (unless extended) on December 31, 2020.
New York COVID Rent Relief Program
By July 20, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
New York has recently launched a COVID Rent Relief Program available to tenants who meet certain criteria. If a tenant is eligible, their landlord will receive the funds directly.
New York In-Person Evictions to Resume
By July 17, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
The administrative judge of the New York City Civil Court announced in an email to tenant attorneys that in-person evictions would begin July 27, 2020. Other counties are expected to incrementally implement a similar procedure. An eviction that was on the calendar before March 16, 2020 will retain priority in being scheduled first. However, as of July 13, 2020, there are still inconsistencies in uniformity of procedures with respect to in-person court appearances.
Legislative Update - Fair Chance in Housing Act
July 15, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
This Thursday, July 16, 2020, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee will be considering the bill with a Senate Number of S250 and an Assembly Number of A1919. This bill establishes the “Fair Chance in Housing Act.”
New York State and the Tenant Safe Harbor Act
By July 6, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
On June 30, 2020, New York Governor signed the “Tenant Safe Harbor Act” (a.k.a. the “Hoylman Bill”) into law. This law not only extends the current eviction moratorium for New Yorkers, but it strengthens it as well. The Tenant Safe Harbor Act prevents courts from issuing warrants of eviction or judgments of possession under certain circumstances. The court cannot issue a warrant or judgment if: it would be for non-payment of rent that accrued or came due during the COVID‑19 period, and it would be against a residential tenant or lawful occupant who has suffered a financial hardship during the “COVID‑19 covered period.”
Governor Vetoes the Emergency Rental Assistance Bill
By July 1, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
Governor Phil Murphy has vetoed five proposed Coronavirus. The vetoed bills were designed to assist to families and small business suffering from COVID-19 related hardships. Among these vetoed bills was S-2332/A-3956. This bill was discussed in our prior blog, which can be found here.
LANDLORD TENANT COURTS IN PENNSYLVANIA SET TO REOPEN ON JULY 11TH
By June 29, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
Per Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Executive Order, Landlord Tenant matters will begin processing on July 11th, 2020.
On May 11th, the Governor stayed all Notice Requirements mandated by the Landlord and Tenant At of 1951 and the Manufactured Home Community Rights Act for 60 days. This action tolled the ability to commence the timelines necessary for the initiation of eviction proceedings. Per the order, all eviction timelines must be computed with a start date of July 10th, 2020, at which point any previously delivered Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 and Manufactured Home Community Rights Act notices will be deemed delivered and any eviction proceedings may commence. The eviction proceedings requiring compliance with the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 and the Manufactured Home Community Rights Act may proceed from that point forward in the normal course of action.
Urge Governor Murphy to Sign Renter Assistance Bill
By May 15, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
The Assembly and the Senate have unanimously passed a bill that creates the “2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program.” The bill is entitled S-2332/A-3956. Our office previously posted a blog about the date that this was passed unanimously in the Assembly and Senate, as it was a large calendar for the Legislature filled with COVID-19 related bills. You can read our prior blog below.
NY Executive Order Extending Moratorium
By May 14, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order Number 202.28 on May 7, 2020. As per the terms of the Executive Order, the state’s eviction and foreclosure moratorium was extended sixty (60) days beginning on June 20, 2020 and will expire on August 20, 2020. During this time period, no eviction or foreclosure action may be initiated or resumed for nonpayment of rental or mortgage payments, by someone that is eligible for unemployment insurance or benefits under state or federal law or otherwise facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. In addition, the moratorium on evictions against those who have financial hardship because of COVID-19 will be delayed through August 20. This leaves the question open as to whether the Courts will process warrants for eviction to execute against tenants against whom a landlord had a judgment prior to the pandemic after the original June 20 moratorium deadline. Furthermore, from March 20, 2020 through August 20, 2020, no landlord can demand or be entitled to a late fee payment for a tenant’s late payment of his/her rent. Despite mounting pressure to do so, Governor Cuomo did not go as far as to cancel rent outright.