Firm News
Gov. Cuomo’s New Executive Order: What’s the Catch?
Governor Cuomo rolled out an extension last week on the state's moratorium on convictions through August. In a surprising change from the earlier ban, the new order only applies to tenants unable to pay rent due to COVID-19 or who qualify for unemployment. Speaking to...
Uncertainty Still Looming After Gov. Cuomo’s New Order
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's new executive order narrowing the eviction moratorium goes into effect on June 20. What does that mean for NYC landlords? "There remains a cloud of uncertainty throughout the industry as to how these executive orders are to be interpreted, and real...
Bracing for Impact: Landlords Prepare for Strained Cash Flow and Outbreaks Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
While New York continues to reel in the wake of the COVID-19 tsunami, landlords are expecting a steep drop-off in rents early next month. As many are working to negotiate with their lenders and wait for the government to step in during this unprecedented period,...
HSTPA Continues to Wreak Havoc: KMWB Attorneys Discuss on Realty Speak Podcast
Almost a year after the shocking Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act was passed, the legislation is continuing to wreak havoc on the industry and overburden New York’s court system. How did we get here? KMWB attorneys Nativ Winiarsky and Jim Marino were...
DOS Bans Brokers’ Fees, HSTPA Continues to Cause Confusion and Anxiety
On January 31st, without notice, the New York Department of State issued a Legal Guidance analyzing the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. Buried in the document is a change indicating that the collection of brokers' fees is prohibited. In a statement...
Landlord Avoids Liability Due to Tenant’s Partition
KMWB's Nicholas Yokos secured a favorable ruling in recent tenant-initiated proceedings against a local landlord. In response to the tenant's call to 311, HPD inspected the premises and issued several violations, including for an illegal sheetrock partition. The...
Industry Wide Impact in Upcoming Ruling from Court of Appeals
The highest Court in the state, the Court of Appeals, is set to rule on whether recent changes to the Rent Law will be applied to pending rent overcharge cases, which have piled up since June 2019. An unfavorable ruling would be "calamitous", KMWB's Nativ Winiarsky...
KMWB Successfully Maintains MCI Increases After the Appellate Division Remands DHCR’s Order
Nativ Winiarsky recently successfully argued an appeal before the Appellate Division and reversed a Supreme Court decision denying an MCI increase. The Supreme Court action was an Article 78 proceeding brought by tenants seeking to reverse DHCR’s determination which...
KMWB Representing Landlord in Eviction Proceedings After NYPD Alleges Nail Salon is Running a Brothel
Attorney Lisa Faham-Selzer is representing a New York City landlord in eviction proceedings after an NYPD sting revealed alleged prostitution activity in what was believed to be a legal, licensed nail salon. Lisa is working with the landlord and the City to remove the...