7 things New York City tenants need to know during the COVID-19 pandemic

In addition to having to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, tenants in New York have other concerns. For example, they may be interested in how to pay rent by April 1. And those who planned the move are worried about the opportunity to do this. We found answers to these and other questions on the website of the publication NY Curbed.

Today in New York there are many people who rent housing. Many of them lost their jobs or lost other sources of income during the coronavirus pandemic. Now they can worry about various rental issues.

There are also people who planned to move at the beginning of the month. Today they are faced with uncertainty because they do not understand whether the previous agreements are relevant and whether it is safe to move to a new apartment at all.

Among the good news is that a 90-day moratorium on tenant evictions in connection with the pandemic was previously introduced. And Housing Justice for All, a coalition of tenant advocates, called for freezing rents across the state.

However, there are many uncertainties for tenants during this time. Below you will find answers to some of the most pressing questions that tenants may have right now.

1. I have to move on April 1st. Can I still do this?

According to Andrew Cuomo, spokesman for the New York State Governor’s office, you can move to new housing despite the coronavirus pandemic. You can also hire a loader and other staff for this if you need help.

At the same time, this does not mean that the decision to move in the current conditions is reasonable.

"Obviously, the governor's order requires people to stay at home," says Ellen Davidson, a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society. She added that everyone should remain in a safe environment for themselves.

However, if you still decide to move, you will have to coordinate this with the landlord or the building manager - both in the house from which you are leaving and in a new place.

2. What if the lease expires at the end of the month?

Landlords and tenants must work together so that no one has to leave their apartments in the midst of a pandemic, says Davidson. They must find a common solution in the current conditions, which can be corrected when the crisis is over. Ideally, such an agreement would be by email, says Davidson.

Some property owners have entered into similar agreements with their tenants. For example, brokerage MNS worked with developers such as Moinian and Slate Property Group to allow tenants in some buildings to continue renting out their homes every month until the crisis was over. This was told by the CEO of the brokerage company Andrew Barrokas. “The goal is to provide residents with a place to live and minimize the need to go out in search of an apartment,” Barrokas explained.

Jessica Swersi, an agent for Warburg Realty, has a similar experience with her clients. “If the landlord doesn't re-lease the apartment, they can help the client extend the lease by a month,” she says. - I also have tenants who need to move on April 1st. We are solving problems related to the inability to access apartments or the extension of the lease term. "

3. What if I live in a stable rent apartment?

People living in rent-regulated apartments can extend their leases by one or two years. However, there are some exceptions. “For rent stabilized tenants who planned to terminate their lease, landlords can provide early termination agreements to allow for a lease break later in the summer,” explained Iliana Acevedo, development manager at MNS.

The final decision as to whether rents should be frozen, increased or decreased is made by the Rent Board (RGB). The decision is made based on the results of public hearings, which usually begin in the spring. It is unclear whether these hearings will be held in connection with the pandemic.

4. What if I have a problem with my apartment - something breaks down or I need urgent repairs?

According to the Pause quarantine plan, workers such as electricians or plumbers are included in the list of necessary, along with "other construction-related firms and specialists to provide basic infrastructure or for emergency repairs and safety." Therefore, if there is a serious, urgent problem in your apartment, contact your landlord for assistance.

On the subject: Pause quarantine plan introduced in New York: what it means and who it will affect

5. What should I do if the landlord gives me an eviction notice?

In this situation, tenants should not receive eviction notices. This is stated in a recent decree of the state governor.

You may be asked to pay rent, but not a notice of the petition or actual court papers. “These litigations are not considered extraordinary or material and therefore neither landlords nor their processors are allowed to go out and file these notices, so this should not happen. In fact, this is contrary to the governor's decree, ”says Davidson.

If you still receive an eviction notice, contact the Department of Investigation's Bureau of City Marshals. And keep in mind: even if you are asked to come to the housing court in person in the notice, you are not required to do so.

6. Can my landlord raise my rent right now?

If you have a valid rent, it is regulated. But if the contract expires, an increase in value is possible. This is one of the reasons why lawyers insist on freezing rents right now, the source said.

Under new rental laws, tenants must be notified if lessors intend to increase rents by more than 5%. If the tenant has lived in the apartment for up to a year, he must receive a notice within 30 days; if he has lived in an apartment up to two years, he must receive a notification within 60 days; if he has lived in an apartment for more than two years, then he must receive a notification in 90 days.

7. What to do if I have been diagnosed COVID-19? What are my rights as a tenant?

The Mayor's Office of Tenant Protection has created a guide that addresses some of the critical issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the question of what tenants should know if they have been confirmed with the coronavirus. “Your landlord cannot evict you, kick you out, or ask you to leave your apartment because you have COVID-19. According to this guidance, the same applies when you are in quarantine at home, or if you experience harassment or discrimination for other reasons, ”it said.

If any of the above happens, you should contact the New York Human Rights Commission.