Greater New York has been on lockdown since March 20, 2020.  Restaurants, stores, and other retail establishments were closed entirely for the better part of the summer.  Non-essential workers are beginning to return to their jobs, though only a portion are taking public transportation, eating out, or shopping locally.  Those continuing to stay home have even less contact with the outside world.

In light of these home-bound habits, landlords and tenants alike face difficulty in verifying a tenant’s primary residence. 

President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order on August 8, 2020 placing a further moratorium on evictions through December 31, 2020, in keeping with State Executive Orders issued in New York earlier this year by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and in response to the July 24, 2020 expiration of the 120-day moratorium on eviction filings set forth in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act  passed by Congress. 

On August 12, 2020, New York Courts extended the freeze on evictions until October 1.

 

When it comes to the content of the minutes of a Board of Directors or Board of Managers meeting, how much detail is “just right”?  Meeting minutes are some of the most important documents for cooperative and condominium buildings and are required by the building’s governing documents and by statute.  There is both a method and an art to taking accurate and appropriate meeting minutes. 

Boards of Directors and Boards of Managers have their collective hands full with administration of building operations, capital projects, staff and owner issues, and the like. The creation of committees, especially in larger buildings, can potentially lighten the load. But committees can be both a substantial benefit to boards and an unexpected burden if improperly managed, organized and prepared. 

It has long been noted that the existing housing courts are ill-equipped to handle the number of litigants and extensive caseloads which New York City’s housing courts see each day.  From the long lines of litigants (often with children), to the lack of available courtrooms and meeting spaces, and even failing infrastructure, it has become increasingly difficult for matters to be equitably and efficiently resolved.  In 2017, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore created a Special Commission on the Future of the New York City Housing Court. The Commission recommended numerous proposed reforms to effect a transformation of the housing court. 

Michelle represents businesses and individuals in commercial and residential landlord-tenant litigation, including summary proceedings. She has substantial experience with Mitchell-Lama Cooperatives, Redevelopment Companies, and tenancies protected by New York State Rent Regulations.

The proliferation of online websites that sell “service animal certification kits” in order to allow non-service animals access to public places has led to recent legislation intended to curb the abuse. A new law signed by New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on December 18, 2017 makes it unlawful to knowingly apply a false or improper identification tag designating a service, emotional support, or therapy dog to enable the animal to accompany its owner into places of public accommodation and other venues. What does this law mean for apartment, condominium and cooperative buildings? Read more to find out how you may be affected.

Legal Update

Legal Update

Legal Update

Legal Update

Legal Update

Legal Update

Legal Update