7 things New York City tenants need to know during the COVID-19 pandemic

In addition to having to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, tenants in New York have other concerns. For example, they may be interested in how to pay rent by April 1. And those who planned the move are worried about the opportunity to do this. We found answers to these and other questions on the website of the publication NY Curbed.

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Today in New York there are many people who rent housing. Many of them lost their jobs or lost other sources of income during the coronavirus pandemic. Now they can worry about various rental issues.

There are also people who planned to move at the beginning of the month. Today they are faced with uncertainty because they do not understand whether the previous agreements are relevant and whether it is safe to move to a new apartment at all.

Among the good news is that a 90-day moratorium on tenant evictions in connection with the pandemic was previously introduced. And Housing Justice for All, a coalition of tenant advocates, called for freezing rents across the state.

However, there are many uncertainties for tenants during this time. Below you will find answers to some of the most pressing questions that tenants may have right now.

1. I have to move on April 1st. Can I still do this?

According to Andrew Cuomo, spokesman for the New York State Governor’s office, you can move to new housing despite the coronavirus pandemic. You can also hire a loader and other staff for this if you need help.

At the same time, this does not mean that the decision to move in the current conditions is reasonable. “Obviously, the governor's order requires people to stay home,” said Ellen Davidson, staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society. She added that everyone should remain in a safe environment.

However, if you still decide to move, you will have to coordinate this with the landlord or the building manager - both in the house from which you are leaving and in a new place.

2. What if the lease expires at the end of the month?

Landlords and tenants must work together so that no one has to leave their apartments in the midst of a pandemic, says Davidson. They must find a common solution in the current conditions, which can be corrected when the crisis is over. Ideally, such an agreement would be by email, says Davidson.

Some property owners have entered into similar agreements with their tenants. For example, brokerage MNS has worked with developers such as Moinian and Slate Property Group to allow tenants in some buildings to continue renting on a month-to-month basis until the crisis passes. Andrew Barrocas, CEO of the brokerage company, spoke about this. “The goal is to provide residents with a place to live and minimize the need to go outside to find an apartment,” Barrocas explained.

Jessica Swersey, an agent with Warburg Realty, has similar experiences with her clients. “If the landlord has not re-rented the apartment, they may be able to help the client extend the lease by a month,” she says. — I also have tenants who need to move on April 1st. We solve problems related to the inability to access apartments or extend the lease term.”

3. What if I live in a stable rent apartment?

People living in rent-regulated apartments can extend their leases by one or two years. However, there are some exceptions. “For rent-stabilized tenants who were planning to break their lease, landlords can provide early termination agreements to allow for a break in the lease later in the summer,” explained Iliana Acevedo, MNS development manager.

The final decision as to whether rents should be frozen, increased or decreased is made by the Rent Board (RGB). The decision is made based on the results of public hearings, which usually begin in the spring. It is unclear whether these hearings will be held in connection with the pandemic.

4. What if I have a problem with my apartment - something breaks, or I need urgent repairs?

According to the Pause quarantine plan, workers such as electricians or plumbers are included in the list of necessary, along with "other construction-related firms and specialists to provide basic infrastructure or for emergency repairs and safety." Therefore, if there is a serious, urgent problem in your apartment, contact your landlord for assistance.

On the subject: Pause quarantine plan introduced in New York: what it means and who it will affect

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