Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York
Never Signed A Lease
I lived with my grandmother for a short period. She lived in a New York City Housing Authority building where her name has been on the lease for years. Well she got ill and fell behind on the rent and at the time I lost my job and couldn't help. My name was listed as her granddaughter living with her. We got evicted and now I have a judgement of some sort saying that I owe them money. I spoke to the building manager and she says that because I lived in the apartment and at one time worked that I'm liable for the money even though I never signed a lease. Is this really true?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Never Signed A Lease
No. But you need to do something about the judgment. You need to move to open the default (I assume the firsat you were aware of your name on a judgment was upon receiving notice of it and not that you had received papers before and ignored them, right?) You need to fight the underlying complaint on its merits.
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Re: Never Signed A Lease
This is a diffficult situation. I hope your grandmother is still with us and has found a place to live. For you, having such an eviction on your record can have an impact on your ability to find a place in the future.
This can be handled quite easily. The standard form is an "Order to Show Cause", an ex-parte motion without notice. After filing the form with the court (assuming it is approved) you will be required to show up once at the court to explain the circumstances.
The form is available at the Housing Court, or I can help you with a model/template at no fee.
You are welcome to a consultation for no fee at my offices at 42 West 44th Street, NY,NY. Please call for an appointment first. (646)591-5786 or (718) 729-2029
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