The relationship between a tenant and their landlord can be complicated at times. Problems often arise from misunderstandings regarding lease terms and personal conflicts. The tenant might feel as though they are receiving unjustified abuse from their landlord, but many times they will be afraid to speak up or take action. That’s why it’s very important for tenants to understand the terms of their lease prior to signing on the dotted line.
A real estate lawyer in NYC like Gary J. Wachtel can help guide you through the leasing process and ensure that you understand your rights as a tenant. If you think that your landlord might be meeting the legal definition of harassment, Gary J. Wachtel is a specialist in landlord-tenant law in NYC and can help you take legal action. Below, we will discuss a few ways that tenants can recognize harassment from their landlord.
The first step towards understanding what constitutes harassment by a landlord is to understand its legal definition. The Housing Maintenance Code defines harassment as an act or omission by the landlord that causes or intends to cause a lawful occupant of the building to vacate the unit. If you feel like your landlord is intentionally trying to make you leave or abandon your contract, this is likely to be harassment. Harassment is an illegal action that can lead to significant legal consequences. If you’d like to discuss potential harassment cases with a New York real estate attorney, contact the offices of Gary J. Wachtel today.
There are a variety of actions that can be considered harassment by a landlord. If a landlord uses or threatens to use force against a tenant, interrupts or discontinues essential services in the unit, removes a tenant’s possessions from the unit, or changes a unit’s locks without supplying a key to the tenant, these actions can all be considered harassment. Additionally, if a landlord tries to offer money to the tenant to vacate the unit within 180 days of receiving written notice that the tenant does not want to vacate, this is likely to be harassment since the tenant is within their legal rights. As a tenant, don’t forget that your lease is a legally binding document that provides you with certain rights.
Unfortunately, harassment from landlords is a common occurrence. If you’d like some legal advice about harassment or would like to pursue legal action against a landlord, contact your real estate lawyer in NYC, Gary J. Wachtel, today.
