What Are the Landlord Rights in NYC – Everything You Need to Know

By: ROS Team

Most of the time, the heated debates revolve around what tenants need and what tenants get. The rights of the customers are discussed and efforts are made to educate them to avoid any disadvantages in the market. However, hardly anyone bothers to see the other side of the coin: the rights of landlords in NYC.

The reality is you can’t clap with one hand. Landlords are subjected to meet dozens of responsibilities and no allowance is made in their favor if they fail to meet any responsibility. However, the law didn’t remain oblivious to their rights and laid them meticulously.

Step in the shoes of a landlord for once and see the dynamics from their perspective. They are bound to struggle to find and manage tenants. The time is never riper than now to know the rights of the landlords or property manager for that’s sake in New York City.

In Time Payment of Rent:

In principle, the landlords mean business. If they don’t make money in time, there is no point in renting a home.

Therefore, this is their first and foremost right. If payments are not submitted timely, the landlord is entitled to initiate the legal eviction process immediately.

However, it is less likely that they will exercise their right without giving relaxation in the deadline and would generally refer to saving themselves from the legal work of eviction. It takes energy and money to evict a property and arrange a new tenant.

However, once the landlord has initiated court proceedings and obtains a judgment of possession / Warrant of Eviction, the landlord can seek the eviction of property and allot a reasonable amount of time to move their belongings out.

Given the importance of paying in time, this right should be revered more than any other by renters.

To Enjoy the Clean Surroundings:

Although the landlord is supposed to keep the outdoor clean, the equal responsibility falls on the tenant to do their best to keep the surroundings in a respectable position.

In addition, tenants are subjected to observe the clauses of the lease in a befitting manner to keep the property in good condition.

Though the landlord will bear the cost of wear and tear, in case of significant damage. The tenant is liable to bear the repairing expenses.

Nothing offends the landlords more than seeing their property damaged by the renters not repairing it even after notice.

To be allowed to Peek Inside When Required:

The landlords hold the right to enter the property for several reasons. Essentially they are concerned over the condition of the property and remain curious whether tenants are following the rules and nothing is damaged, illegal, or destructive.

However, the landlord cannot do this on the whims and is supposed to furnish a notice for the due visit and seek the tenant’s approval. The landlord may enter in case of emergencies like a fire or any collapse of the wall but excessive entries are not permitted.

Be Informed About the Damage:

Living on the property is likely to expose it to daily wear and tear. There is no harm in it. However, if there is significant damage that occurs be it the tenant’s fault or not. The landlord is to be informed at the first convenience.

The added benefit is that the repairing can be done timely to cease the prevailing damage like water leakage, which may cause many troubles for the tenants and may inflict greater damage to the property.

So, it is in the best interest of both parties to let the landlord know about the damage as soon as possible.

Not Responsible for Tenant’s Inflicted Damage:

While the normal maintenance and availability of all required facilities is the responsibility of the landlord, he is never going to take responsibility for the damage caused by the tenant, be it intentionally or unintentionally. If the tenant happened to damage the property such as holes in the walls broken appliances burnt carpet or broken glasses. The landlord holds the right to seek the repair cost.

In case tenants show reluctance in compensating the losses. The landlord may deduct the money out of the deposited security after the legally followed instructions.

To be Served with Advance Leaving Notice:

The landlord holds the right to at minimum, a month’s notice before the tenant plans to evict the property. This is in the best interest of the landlord to avoid his/her monetary losses and be furnished with sufficient time to find another tenant.

In NYC, finding a new tenant is quite time-consuming. There are several legal protocols to be observed at the same time. The landlord needs to be sure of the potential renter’s financial credibility and history to conclude.

Therefore, a prior notice with the mentioned leaving date shall be sent to the landlord.

Final Thoughts:

Law cannot turn a blind eye to anybody’s rights. Therefore, the responsibilities of the landlords are laid down in microscopic detail as you would get to know. In the same breath, their due rights are mentioned categorically. They are entitled to enjoy these rights within the range the law has set for them.

If you are a tenant, respect the rights of the landlords as you would wish them to do.