Manhattan Landlords Need Tenant Dispute Lawyer To Take On Stubborn Renters

Are you struggling to get rent payments out of your tenants in Manhattan? You are not the only one. Fortunately, landlord-tenant dispute lawyer Jeffrey Johnson can help you recover your rent or start an eviction procedure!

Manhattan is the beating center of New York City and, some say, the world. Its popularity and high population density have certainly led to one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. Certainly, in the US, Manhattan has the highest property values per square foot, and despite some of the country’s first and most extensive rent-controlled properties, some of the highest average rental costs in the world.

This is important because it also has the second-lowest percentage of home ownership, with an average of 70-80% of the population renting. This combination of a proportion of renters and astronomically high rents means that landlords regularly have to deal with renters who refuse to pay or are unable to pay their rent.

When that happens, they have to make a difficult choice: accept a loss of vital income or pursue the renter to obtain the unpaid rent all the way to eviction if needed. For that, however, they will need the help of an attorney skilled in handling landlord-tenant disputes, like Staten Island’s Jeffrey Johnson.

Why Do Manhattan Landlords Need Attorneys To Deal With Renters?

Landlord Tenant Lawyer Manhattan New York

While most renters manage to pay their rent every month, there are always a few in Manhattan who cannot or choose not to pay. Given the high costs, those who get behind because they cannot pay often stay behind or fall further behind. Worse still for landlords, those who refuse to pay can take advantage of the extensive protections the city and state offer to draw out any attempt to evict them.

There are many free resources New York City renters can find, but nothing on the same level for landlords. The city and state governments understandably do not want residents regularly thrown out on the streets, and certainly not at the drop of a hat or a single missed month's rent. Unfortunately, these sometimes lead to outrageous situations, where even celebrity chefs can end up spending over two years without paying their rent just over the river in Brooklyn. These protections are even stronger against any illegal actions by landlords, which means the quickest way to ensure your tenant never has to pay or leave is by trying to go outside the court system. But navigating the endless paperwork, filings, and potential appeals on your own is an exercise in futility and difficulty. Only by having a skilled lawyer on your side can you hope to get a non-payment situation resolved with any sort of speed or success.

How Can A Tenant Dispute Lawyer Help Manhattan Landlords?

When it comes to dealing with tenants behind on their rent, lawyers have a lot to offer landlords, from advice to representation in court. Always with one objective: to help landlords minimize their losses and maximize their returns on those key properties as much as possible within the scope of Manhattan rules and New York City laws.

A Renter Is Behind? A Lawyer Can Help You Figure Out Whether To Evict.

If one of your renters has fallen behind on their monthly payments, the first question you need to decide is whether or not to even try to evict. It is a serious step that is likely to quite severely deteriorate your relationship with your renter and take quite a bit of time and cost to resolve.

If all you are dealing with is a month or two of unpaid rent or a different lease violation, such as an unauthorized pet, you might want to try other methods first. Sending an official warning drafted by an attorney or entering into a negotiation might be a safer choice.

On the other hand, if the renter is many months behind, seems unlikely to be willing or able to pay, or relations have already deteriorated for other reasons, it might be time to take the big step of starting an eviction procedure. Certainly, you should never try to handle the situation in any sort of illegal way, such as trying to evict them yourself or cutting off utilities without permission, as these could undermine your entire case.

How Can A Manhattan Landlord Get A Non-Paying Renter Evicted?

Before anyone has to set foot in the Manhattan Housing Court on Centre Street, you have to send a formal written notification by mail. It is crucial that this be sent in the mail so you have a record of reception and that it be drafted by an attorney in accordance with NYC’s extensive regulations so that when you do get to Housing Court, the renter cannot argue they were not properly notified.

Assuming they continue to refuse to pay, then it is time to file a formal petition against them; this begins the long and sometimes arduous process of eviction. By ensuring you take each step along that process correctly, from the filing of the petition to any appearances in Housing Court, a lawyer gives you the best odds of successfully either getting your money back or seeing the back of that tenant.

In any nonpayment eviction case, the Manhattan Housing Court has to give the nonpaying tenant a chance to pay back what they owe before you can evict them. This can result in further delays or in you finally getting paid. Ultimately, if they do not, your lawyer will proceed with the eviction case against them and pursue that until the tenant is finally forced to leave, under police supervision if necessary.

Call Now For A Free Consultation! (718) 557-9767

Your Manhattan Tenant-Landlord Dispute Lawyer Can Do More Than Just Evict

Evictions are the nuclear option for landlord and tenant relations. While they can be a necessary solution, there are many other situations and conflicts that can emerge between a landlord and their tenants, which might require the intervention of a lawyer.

In fact, if your relationship with your tenant has significantly deteriorated, you may want or need an attorney’s help with any of the following:

Drafting or reviewing a lease. These documents are essential for any landlord as they dictate the terms, conditions, and termination options that you impose on your tenant. However, if they are not correctly drafted or fair to follow regulations, they could undermine your claim. Spend a little in the short run to save a lot more in the long run by having an attorney write or review your lease agreement.

Termination of tenancy. Depending on the type of housing and your lease agreement, you may be able to terminate the duration of your lease in certain circumstances with the help of a skilled attorney.

Defend you against renter action or litigation. Sometimes renters strike first, trying to get you in legal hot water; if that happens to you, know that we are happy to represent you in those matters or any other dispute they file against you or you against them.

No matter what landlord-tenant matter or dispute you are dealing with, know that you do not have to struggle against the Manhattan court system alone.

Call A Manhattan Tenant-Landlord Lawyer Near You

Jeffrey Johnson | Helping Manhattan landlords take on tenant issues and disputes, including evictions for nonpayment.

If you have been dealing with a nonpaying tenant or struggling with any other tenant-landlord dispute, you need an experienced attorney to handle your Manhattan matter to minimize your loss and ensure an efficient resolution.

In Manhattan or any other New York City borough, attorney Jeffrey Johnson is the landlord-tenant lawyer you need. Call (718) 557-9767 or set up a consultation online today to take the first step towards a successful resolution or eviction.