August 2022

The 2022-23 New York State budget has added additional funding to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. As a result, State OTDA are currently reviewing and processing eligible ERAP applications submitted through June 30, 2022.

Legal Clinic

In partnership with Council Member Shaun Abreu, Assembly Member Al Taylor, Senator Cordell Cleare, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. held a legal clinic assisting the fire victims at 695 Saint Nicholas. We are providing each tenant with legal services to ensure that’ll they will return back to their apartments. 

When Landlords Behave Badly

We would like to publicly thank our local elected officials City Council Member Shaun Abreu and Assemblyman Al Taylor and the NYC agencies who stepped up to ensure that the tenants at 695 Saint Nicholas Avenue are safe after a fire ravaged their homes and impacted every tenant in the building.

If you're a renter, homeowner, or business owner, flood insurance is a must have. It will provide financial help after a flood and can be transferred if a tenant or owner decides to move to another residence in NYC.

 

Learn more here: https://www.floodhelpny.org/

Heat Emergencies and Cooling Centers

The weather is getting hotter as the summer continues to thrive. On extremely hot days, the National Weather Service may issue a heat emergency advisory. During these heat emergencies, cooling resources for residents are provided by the City. Cooling centers are opened throughout the five boroughs weekly.

 

Visit the Cooling Center Finder or contact 311 for more information.

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Monthly Real Estate Article Roundup 

How Some NY Judges Are Unpausing Eviction Cases - Law360

New York is among several states - including Oregon, Massachusetts and California - to pause eviction cases at least temporarily while rent aid applications are being processed, to prevent premature evictions. And while tenant lawyers say New York's rule has been broadly effective, some judges have said they have the authority to lift the stay.

As rents increase in New York City, so do evictions | 6sqft

The number of evictions in New York City has increased every month from January to June, according to new city data. The state's eviction moratorium expired on January 15 after officials extended it several times after it first took effect in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic.

Property Tax Reform

Affordable and Fair Property Tax Now! New York City's property tax system is notoriously opaque, confusing, and inequitable. For decades, calls for reform from homeowners, advocates, and elected officials have been ignored while New York State instead layered on a patchwork of complex exemptions and abatements. The current property tax...

NYC Evictions Have Increased Every Month This Year

So far this year, city marshals have executed at least 1,527 residential evictions, according to statistics maintained by the Department of Investigation (DOI). The true number of legal evictions is likely higher because DOI updates its database only after a marshal reports an eviction, which can take days or weeks.

The insider's guide to rent-stabilized apartments: Essential knowledge for New York renters

A rent-stabilized apartment in New York City comes with several important protections for renters: Annual rent increases are generally only a percentage point or two and in most cases you are also entitled to automatic lease renewals every year or two.