Is Your Building Being Demolished? Protect Your Rights.
Under New York rent stabilization laws, a landlord can terminate the leases of all rent-stabilized tenants if they have plans to demolish or gut the building and convert it into luxury apartments. This situation is beneficial to the landlord, of course, but it completely disrupts the tenants’ lives. As a tenant, you need an advocate on your side.
Landlords may offer buyouts to rent-regulated tenants for new construction projects or development sites. These projects may include:
- Tearing everything down and rebuilding
- Leaving the shell of the building, but gutting the interior
There may be large buyouts in these cases, but that does not mean you should just give up your apartment. Before you accept a buyout, speak with an experienced tenants’ rights attorney. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben et al has been helping tenants since 1983. We know how to protect your rights in demolition cases, including how to fight harassment from your landlord.
How We Can Help?
In these situations, the landlord must file a case at the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal if they want to force you out of the building. A tenants’ rights lawyer can protect you by taking action such as filing appeals, which may delay the demolition or construction project for a significant amount of time. Delays in construction are extremely costly. When up against pressures such as loan deadlines, the landlord may decide it is better to offer larger buyouts to tenants to avoid the construction delay.
Each case is different, and we encourage you to speak with us today about your specific circumstances. Demolition cases may be taken on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive our fee if we win damages for you. Learn more by calling 212-349-3000 or completing the online form.