Landlord-Tenant Law in New York State is complex, and has undergone many legislative changes in recent years. Landlords looking to evict a tenant should rely on the guidance of an experienced attorney, since mistakes with timing, paperwork, and procedures can lead to legal and financial consequences. With that in mind, there are some mistakes every landlord should try to avoid during the eviction process.
Landlords should not change locks or attempt an eviction themselves without an official court order in place. In New York State, this can lead to serious consequences, including lawsuits for wrongful eviction, which can result in costly legal fees and damages, and in some circumstances, a misdemeanor criminal charge.
Only a court order grants the legal authority to evict a tenant. Attempting to bypass this process undermines a landlord's position in court. Initiating an eviction through the proper channels and taking the correct steps will help to ensure that the eviction is conducted fairly and legally, which protects your rights as a landlord.
Other costly mistakes made by landlords include failing to have strong lease agreements in place with their clients, and/or failing to provide tenants with the proper written notices at the proper times during the eviction process.
To keep future evictions efficient and legally sound, landlords in the Central New York region should consult MCV Law’s Landlord Services team. Having our experience and guidance as a resource will help you avoid disputes, ensure that your evictions are in compliance with local laws, and preserve your rights, reputation, and investment. Our team represents landlords with many different kinds of property portfolios and scales of operation, and we look forward to making you our next satisfied client.
We are here to help.