The Ever-Changing Landlord-Tenant Laws in NYC
Following a life changing event like the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is a very different place. And while smaller cities across the world might not feel it as much, across the big cities and industrial capitals like New York City, many might feel like we are living in an entirely different reality. According to Mr. Rajiv Syed, the best commercial landlord tenant lawyer in Queens, the most telling area of this is definitely the rental market, and where lease agreements come into play. NYC is a city full of renters, recent statistics show that nearly 70% of residents are actually leasing or renting out some portion of their homes to others. This is evident with the booming Airbnb industry, rental homes and with rental prices constantly changing and evolving, many individuals simply aren’t aware of their rights as tenants. The landlord tenant landscape was drastically impacted following the pandemic, and while many individuals are seeking to close themselves off to others and keep their distance, it has caused a number of changes and drastically impacted how people are seeing things and what types of terms landlords are willing to provide to renters. This is why it’s important for renters to have a stable understanding of the ever-changing landscape of the rental world, and how these things might impact your stability moving forward. In this article, we will be going over a few vital areas to concentrate on this season when looking to rent your next property.
Security Deposits & Returns
When negotiating a rental agreement, one of the most important factors is going to be your security deposit limit and return. According to Raj Syed, the top residential landlord tenant lawyer in Queens, New York state laws place a limit on the amount of a security deposit your landlord may require to one month’s rent. However, it does limit when it must be returned (14 days) and sets other restrictions on deposits.
Rent Control & Other Rules
If you ask a lot of renters in New York City, what their dream apartment would be – it would include a long list of amenities, but a lot of people would certainly say something that is rent controlled! According to Raj Syed, the best real estate lawyer near me, state law in New York regulates rent-related issues – including rent control and stabilization, as well as how much time a tenant might have in order to pay their overdue rent before the landlord can file for an eviction. Your landlord tenant attorney should help you familiarize yourself with the New York Termination of Nonpayment rules and other items.
Small Claims Lawsuits
All across New York City, people are suing each other on almost a daily basis. And while this might not always be the best way to mediate a difficult landlord-tenant situation, it’s something you should be accustomed to. Tenants are able to sue landlords within different courts depending on location, including the five boroughs, and Nassau & Suffolk County, for a wide variety of things, including the return of their deposits. According to Raj, as a civil litigation attorney he often sees instances where these issues come up. Tenants can sue for up to a dollar amount of $5,000 in New York Small Claims Court or $3,000 in town and village justice courts. This is money that is rightfully owed to you, and if the rental agreement sours, it’s important to have an attorney like Raj Syed on your side to help through these difficult litigations
Withholding Rent, Termination and Eviction
Regardless of what is going on in the world, you have a right to a safe space – especially when you are paying rent there! Tenants need to understand that they have the right to “repair and deduct” rent, if a landlord fails to take care of important repairs, such as a broken heater.
Before you get into any rental agreement, it’s important to understand exactly how to navigate through the process. And with the laws constantly changing, prices fluctuating it can become difficult for even the most in-tune individuals to understand exactly how to proceed. This is why it’s important to have a Landlord Tenant Lawyer like Rajiv Syed on your side. For more information on all there is to know about landlord tenant law, lease agreements and lease negotiations, be sure to contact the Law Offices of Rajiv Syed today.
