NY Attorney General Cracks Down on Tenant Blacklisting

NY Attorney General Cracks Down on Tenant Blacklisting

New York Attorney General Letitia James (“AG”) continued her efforts to protect New York tenants by cracking down on “tenant blacklisting,” which is when landlords use housing court records as a basis to deny a potential tenant’s rental application. Tenant blacklisting was made illegal in 2019 following changes to the NY Real Property Law, which […]

What Are the Most Common Pitfalls That Should Be Avoided in Creating an LLC For A Rental Property?

What Are the Most Common Pitfalls That Should Be Avoided in Creating an LLC For A Rental Property

Robert Friedman is part of the recently released American Apartment Owner’s Association’s RENT Magazine. This magazine focuses on how to invest despite rising interest rates, smart tax saving strategies, best-selling books for landlords and the latest rental industry updates on new prop tech, evictions, tenant screening, and more. You can read Robert Friedman’s article online for […]

NY Attorney General Shuts Down Landlord Who Exposed Children to Lead Poisoning

NY Attorney General Shuts Down Landlord Who Exposed Children to Lead Poisoning

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement resolving her lawsuit against landlord John Kiggins and his company, Endzone Properties, Inc., for failing to protect children from lead paint hazards in Syracuse. The lawsuit, filed in October 2021, alleged that Kiggins and Endzone endangered the health of its tenants, primarily children, by repeatedly violating lead paint […]

Erie County Landlord-Tenant Hub Court Dedicated

Erie County Landlord-Tenant Hub Court Dedicated Rochester Lawyers

A dedication ceremony for the newly created Erie County Landlord-Tenant HUB Court was held on June 2, 2022 at Buffalo City Court, 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY.  The Erie County Landlord Tenant HUB Court is the first court in the State of New York to operate virtually with a presumptive Alternative Dispute Resolution model. The […]

Must Landlords Provide Reserved Parking Spaces for Disabled Tenants Who Request It?

Must Landlords Provide Reserved Parking Spaces for Disabled Tenants Who Request It

Yes, the Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations in their rules, policies, practices, or services when needed to provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use or enjoy a dwelling. A reserved parking space is a common reasonable accommodation request for tenants who have mobility impairment or other disability which makes […]

NY Attorney General Warns Landlords Not to Raise Rents

NY Attorney General Warns Landlords Not to Raise Rents

New York Attorney General Letitia James (“AG”) issued an advisory to landlords reminding them that they cannot raise rents if they accepted or plan to accept funding from the New York state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) which was recently expanded in the New York state’s budget. Landlords who accept payments from the program are […]

NY Attorney General Sues Eviction Lawyers

NY Attorney General Sues Eviction Lawyers

New York Attorney General Letitia James (“AG”) filed a lawsuit against Balsamo, Rosenblatt & Hall, P.C, and its partners Robert Rosenblatt and Edward Hall for engaging in deceptive rent collection practices and initiating frivolous lawsuits against New York tenants. The AG claims that Balsamo’s housing court practice violates New York Executive Law, the Federal Debt Collection […]

“Uninhabitable” Conditions for Buffalo Renters

Uninhabitable Conditions for Buffalo Renters

Additional tenants have come forward after 7 News’ February 2022 exposé of problems Buffalo tenants are having with their landlord, Preischel Properties. The tenants reported problems with other properties owned by the realtor, including black mold and rats in their units. Attorney Justin Friedman, of Friedman and Ranzenhofer Attorneys at Law, says, “Whether or not […]

NY Landlord Pays $30,000 For Emotional Support Animal Discrimination

NY Landlord Pays $30,000 For Emotional Support Animal Discrimination

A settlement agreement has been reached with the current and former owners of Midtown Motel, LLC, a residential rental property in Dansville, NY, who were named as defendants in a Fair Housing Act complaint. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) alleged that the New York landlords discriminated against Cheryl Martinez based on […]