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.

Tenants and Foreclosure

On May 17, 2010, in Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Many tenants are finding out that the property they are renting has been foreclosed on. As I stated in an earlier post, NY foreclosure law now requires that tenants residing in foreclosed properties receive written notification of the change in ownership of the property. The law also requires that the tenant be allowed to remain in  the foreclosed home for the remainder of their lease term or 90 days, whichever is longer.

Hopefully, you have a lease that was executed prior to the start of the foreclosure action and can find suitable housing for you and your family before your lease expires. If you do not have a lease, then you will only have 90 days to pack up and move your loved ones and all of your belongings.  After that, the new owner, which often times is the foreclosing lender, will seek to evict you.

If you are facing this type of eviction or any other type of eviction, we may be able to stop the eviction and get you additional time to move, etc. We were recently able to stop a foreclosing lender from forcing a family of seven (7) out onto the street.

Long Island Landlord Tenant Attorney

As always,  the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a Landlord-Tenant and Foreclosure Defense Lawyer.

Please visit our Foreclosure and Landlord-Tenant categories to learn more about foreclosure and Landlord-Tenant issues.

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!

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