Rejected Renters to Get a Free Credit Report

On July 16, 2010, in Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Wall Street Reform Bill: Free credit report for rejected renters

The Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform bill which passed through Congress and is headed for President Obama’s desk, contains a provision which will require that rejected renters be provided with a free copy of their credit report.

The Wall Street Journal reports that there is a provision in the bill that “would give prospective renters access to a free copy of the credit score that a landlord or broker used to evaluate their application.”

The article quotes a source as saying “that by forcing landlords to give out these credit scores, they would be deterred from using discriminatory factors like race or age in their decisions of whether or not to rent to particular applicants.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Visit our Landlord-Tenant category to learn more about Landlord-Tenant issues.

As always, The Long Island Landlord-Tenant Law Firm of VAUGHN & WEBER, PLLC is here to assist you.  We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island, at 217 Willis Avenue in Mineola, NY 11501.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a  Landlord-Tenant attorney.

Tenant Files Bankruptcy

On June 16, 2010, in Bankruptcy, Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Tenant Files Bankruptcy

What happens if my tenant files bankruptcy?

Back Rent

If the tenant owed back rent and filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy, that debt is now likely discharged. This means that you will never be able to collect the rent that was owed to you at the time the tenant filed for bankruptcy. The tenant can voluntarily pay you, but you can not attempt to collect that past due rent while the automatic stay is in effect or after the debt is discharged.  Such attempts would be either a stay or discharge violation.

Eviction

If you were in the process of evicting your tenant when they filed for bankruptcy, that eviction action is now likely stayed. This means that you will have to make a “lift stay” motion and have it granted by a Bankruptcy Court Judge in order to continue with the eviction in Landlord-Tenant court. However, under certain specific circumstances you will be allowed to continue with the eviction despite your tenant having filed for bankruptcy.

Long Island Landlord Tenant Attorney

As always, the  Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  Call (516) 858-2620 to arrange a FREE consultation with a Landlord Tenant attorney!

Please visit our Bankruptcy category to learn more about filing chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

Evicting a Problem Tenant

On May 3, 2010, in Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

So, you have had it with your tenant and want them out. Evicting a tenant can be a tricky and lengthy process.

The following is very general overview of the eviction process*:

1. Determine the status of the person occupying the premises (i.e. tenant);

2.Determine what grounds you have to evict (i.e. breach of lease terms);

3. Determine the type of action you can bring (i.e. non-payment);

4. Determine what notice must legally be given to the occupant (i.e.  3 days);

5. Give the occupant the appropriate notice in the appropriate manner;

6. File the appropriate petition in the appropriate court;

7. Have the tenant appropriately “served”;

8. File proof of service with the court;

9. Wait for tenant to answer or default;

10. Go to court!

*The above is merely an overview of the eviction process.  Additional or different steps may be required to evict a particular tenant.

If you are having trouble evicting a tenant we may be able to help you evict them so that you can re-let your apartment, sell your home, etc. We were recently successful in using the landlord-tenant court to get a tenant, that had not paid rent for over eight (8) months, out of a landlord’s apartment building in a matter of days.

Nassu County Eviction Attorney

As always, the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island.

We proudly assist residents of Long Island: Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City: Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan with their landlord tenant matters.

Call (516) 858-2620 to arrange a FREE consultation with a Landlord Tenant attorney!

Grounds for Divorce in New York

On April 28, 2010, in Divorce, Family Law, by John A. Weber IV, ESQ.

Many New York residents are unclear about what it takes to qualify for divorce.  Putting residency requirements aside and before you get into property dispute issues, there exists a hurdle that must be met under New York law.  This is to say that you need a legally acceptable reason to terminate a marriage.  New York is not a state that accepts Irreconcilable Differences in its Domestic Relations Law.  This has caused a great deal of controversy and has garnered much attention over the years.  A March 31, 2009 article in the New York Daily News by Jose Martinez touched on how this has caused New York couples unnecessary aggravation (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/04/01/2009-04-01_how_albany_is_divorced_from_real_world_n.html).

Domestic Relations Law in New York provides the acceptable divorce grounds to be:

1) cruel and inhuman treatment

2) abandonment for a period of 1 year or longer

3) imprisonment for a 3 year period subsequent to the date of marriage

4) adultery

5) conversion of a judgment of separation

6) conversion of a separation agreement after 1 year

Please note that New York now allows a no-fault divorce under DRL  section 170(7).

Not sure if you fall into one of these categories?  Call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC today at (516) 858 – 2620!

Please visit our Family Law and Divorce categories to learn more about Family Law and Divorce issues.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is Attorney Advertising. It does not form an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency and a law firm that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code – Title 11. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Proudly assisting residents of Long Island, Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan