Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York

Rent Increase

I live in a privately owned apartment in Staten Island,New York. I have no lease. The building has a new owner as of Sept 25th, 2000.Today, Sept.27th,2000, I received a letter from the landlord telling me that he increased our rent.The new rent amount is due on Oct.1,2000.He raised our rent 43%.Can you tell me what the legal percentage is for my area.Do I have any rights?


Asked on 9/27/00, 10:18 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Dan Blumenthal Berkman Henoch Peterson & Peddy

Re: Rent Increase

The questions are: Is the building rent regulated?, Are there any illegal units on premises? Is this a coop or condo? Presuming a "No' to all, an oral tenancy is treated as a new agreement on each month, a price is negotiated and then paid. If you refuse to pay, the landlord must use the Courts to get you out and this process can be long and costly. You may want to have a neutral party contact the Landlord on your behalf and try to negotiate an resolution. Call me at 516-780-0270 if I can help. I regularly appear in S.I.

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Answered on 10/26/00, 8:11 am
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: Rent Increase

If this is not a rent controlled property (private units are not usually rent controlled), so you are somewhat at the mercy of the landlord, since you are a month-to-month tenant. Perhaps you can contact the landlord and negotiate a longer-term lease. Your last resort is to allow the landlord to take you to court and have the court mediate and try to fix a reasonable rental. Good Luck,

Walter

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Answered on 10/26/00, 10:53 am


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