F

Enforcing a Money Judgment

On February 20, 2016, in Landlord-Tenant, Litigation, by John A. Weber IV, ESQ.

Landlords, as well as any civil plaintiffs, are often faced with the realization that there is a significant difference between obtaining a money judgment and actually collecting the judgment from the Tenant or defendant. In order to enforce a judgment, certain information is pertinent. If the means of enforcement will be an income execution, the social security number of the Tenant along with the name and address of the Tenant’s employer will be necessary. If enforcement will hinge upon a property execution, the necessary information will vary depending on the type of property that will be executed. It is worth noting that automobiles differ from other types of tangible property in procedure and cost. In general, proof of the title holder of the property and the location of the property are required for a property execution. Another method of executing a money judgment is through a bank levy. The account of a Tenant can be frozen as long as the Landlord can provide the bank name and address to the Sheriff. The appropriate method of enforcing a money judgment can vary depending on the specific facts of each situation.

If you have a money judgment and are not clear on how to enforce it, call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak to an attorney today!

De Facto Rent Stabilization

On January 8, 2016, in Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

iStock_000038610748_MediumJones v. Gumbs, 84034/2015

Four family building with seven residential units

Landlord filed a holdover proceeding to evict tenant whose lease had expired. Tenant claimed the building was a legal four family home, but contained seven residential units which made the building rent stabilized. The landlord claimed that the building currently contained less than six residential units and could not be considered rent stabilized.

The court relied on legal precedent and a DOB violation when it ruled that the building contained six or more units and was therefore rent stabilized. The Court stated that the units did not need to be legal in order to subject the premises to rent stabilization.

Furthermore, and this may be the worst part, the Court stated that even if one or two units were now removed, the building would still be subject to rent stabilization because it contained more than six units when the DOB violation was issued. Thus, the Court found that the tenant should have been offered a rent stabilized lease and ultimately dismissed the landlord’s eviction action.

If you are in a similar situation and need legal assistance, do not hesitate to call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 858-2620.

OUCH! Tenant loses rent stabilized apt. over Airbnb rentals!

The court held that the tenant had “engaged in profiteering by renting out the apartment or allowing his children to rent out the apartment, to a series of short-term transient tenants for commercial purposes on Airbnb.” Based on online reviews and other evidence presented, the court found that the apartment had been “listed and rented out to travelers through the Airbnb website.”

The court stated that “[s]uch brazen and commercial exploitation of a rent-stabilized apartment significantly undermines the purpose and integrity of the Rent Stabilization Law and Code and is therefore incurable.” Thus, the landlord was awarded a final judgment of possession.

Bpark v. Durena

Familial Exception to Eviction

On October 22, 2014, in Landlord-Tenant, by John A. Weber IV, ESQ.
A very interesting decision was issued by Judge Eric Bjorneby, J.D.C. in Kakwani v Kakwani,40 Misc. 3d 627,967 N.Y.S.2d 827,2013 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2555,2013 NY Slip Op 23200,2013 WL 3155372(N.Y. Dist. Ct.2013).  This eviction action centered on the issue of whether a family member can be evicted in summary proceedings in New York.  A very detailed analysis which covered the development of the familial exception rule in New York was set forth.  The facts in these cases will determine whether the familial exception applies.  The only available option for evicting those covered under the exception is through ejectment actions.
As always, if you are in the unfortunate situation of being involved in an eviction action with a family member, please call The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC at (516) 858-2613 to speak with an experienced Landlord Tenant attorney today!
WhiteHouse by PageLines
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is Attorney Advertising. It does not form an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency and a law firm that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code – Title 11. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Proudly assisting residents of Long Island, Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan