Suffolk County Landlord Tenant Lawyer

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is essential to understand the basics of the New York landlord-tenant laws with the help of our credible Suffolk County landlord-tenant lawyer. With a variety of federal, state, and local laws, it’s hard to know which codes, rules, and regulations apply to your situation. 

At Donato Law, we can help avoid problems that may arise in the landlord-tenant relationship. We can help you know and understand the key laws every landlord and tenant needs to know. Contact our New York law office now and schedule a free consultation with our trusted landlord-tenant attorneys.

Why Do I Need a Landlord-Tenant Lawyer in New York?

Many landlords, tenants, property owners, and buyers have run into problems simply because they either failed to thoroughly review the details of a rental agreement or neglected to draft the right language in a contract according to state laws. New York laws provide a specific set of rules that landlords and tenants have to comply with if they want to keep a safe and healthy leasing relationship.

Should you have any legal concerns or questions regarding New York landlord-tenant laws, we highly recommend that you seek legal advice from our qualified Suffolk County landlord-tenant lawyers at Donato Law. Our landlord-tenant law firm can:

• Focus on navigating clients through the complexities of laws governing the actions of commercial and residential landlords and tenants alike.
• Dedicated to representing both landlords and tenants in a wide range of conflicts, and we can anticipate the defenses and tactics of the other side in every case.
• Review and draft all documents to make sure that you know exactly what you agree to and that they are customized to your needs
• Provide legal advice to help you determine the best way to resolve lease disputes or lawsuits and negotiate with the court on your behalf to try to reach an amicable resolution.

Our law office stands up for the rights of our clients. We protect the rights of landlords and tenants to make sure that they aren’t taken advantage of by the other party involved and that they have every opportunity to meet the state’s regulatory standards. Call our law office now and schedule an initial consultation with our New York landlord-tenant lawyers.

What Is Landlord-Tenant Law?

Landlord-tenant law includes rights and responsibilities each landlord and each tenant has concerning the rental property. These laws at the state and federal levels are established to protect both parties of the landlord-tenant relationship.

As a landlord, understanding your rights and legal obligations will help you protect yourself, your rental business, and your real estate investment property. On the other hand, tenants want to live peacefully in a rental home and protect their personal rights. Both parties need to know the basics of renting a place, how to pay or collect security deposits, the basics of state and federal laws regarding fair housing, and more. Our knowledgeable Suffolk County landlord-tenant lawyer can keep you in alignment with the law and with the best practices of the industry.

What are the Landlord-Tenant Laws in New York?

Knowledge of and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations is crucial for both landlords and tenants. Several laws must be strictly followed by both parties. Our skilled Suffolk County landlord-tenant attorney can help you ensure that you are on the right side of the law regarding rental agreements, responsibilities, and rights.

Security Deposit Laws

Most landlords require tenants to pay security deposits before moving in. New York state law limits the amount of security deposit a landlord may require to one month’s rent. Landlords are required to return the security deposit within 14 days of the tenant moving out.

Lease Agreement Laws

The landlord-tenant relationship is outlined in the lease agreement, which protects both landlords’ and tenants’ rights. It is a landlord’s responsibility to ensure the written rental or lease agreement is legal and abides by all laws. A typical lease agreement includes the following:

• Names of the landlord and tenants
• Complete address and description of the rental property
• The rental amount and due dates
• Security deposit amount
• Length of the lease (month-to-month or one year)
• Pet Policy
• Utilities covered by the landlord (if applicable)

Landlord Disclosure Laws

Under New York law, landlords must disclose specific information about the rental property to tenants before moving in. Every state has different requirements, but common disclosures that may need to be part of your lease agreement could include a notice of mold, a notice of sex offenders, recent deaths, lead-based paint disclosure, meth contamination, or other potential health or safety hazards.

New York Rent Control

Rent control allows the landlord to charge a specific amount for rent. The goal of rent control is to act as a price ceiling preventing landlords from charging rent above that specified amount. State law regulates several rent-related issues. It includes rent control and stabilization and how much time (three days in New York) a tenant has to pay overdue rent or move before a landlord can file for eviction.

Eviction Laws

An eviction is a legal action by a landlord to remove a tenant from a rental property. Every state has an eviction-related landlord-tenant law that will regulate the process. Landlords also have the right to evict tenants, but it must be for cause (such as nonpayment of rent). They should also give an eviction notice within a specific time frame allowed by the law.

Tenant Rights

The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from civil rights violations. This act covers housing discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, and familial status. Some laws provide anti-discrimination protections based on LGBT identity and marital status. Other rights also include:

• The right to livable conditions
• The right to quiet enjoyment
• A certain level of privacy in the rental property
• The right to a home free of lead poisoning

Landlord Rights

Landlords have certain legal rights, mainly related to the protection of their rental property investment. Some laws determine the duties and rights of landlords as it relates to rental properties and tenants.

• Repairs and Maintenance: Landlords have to make repairs and maintain the good condition of their rental units.
• Landlord Access: When a tenant signs a lease agreement, this gives them exclusive use of the rental property. Therefore, the landlord does not have the right to enter that property except as defined by the terms of the rental agreement or state law.
• Rent: A landlord is allowed to increase the rent based on state statutes. Agreements that are month-to-month allow landlords to raise the rent or change any part of the agreement as long as they give proper notice.

Call Our Experienced Suffolk County Landlord Tenant Lawyer Now!

By following the New York landlord-tenant laws, you can guarantee a safer leasing environment for all the parties involved. Remember that the key to avoiding a dispute is by communicating with the landlord or tenant to understand their rights and terms for leasing a property.

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, our seasoned Suffolk County landlord-tenant lawyers at Donato Law are ready to provide the skill, insight, and personalized legal service that you deserve. Our real estate law firm will guide you through the challenges of managing your rental property, drafting a lease agreement, and handling an eviction. We can help you know and fight for your rights and obligations as a landlord or a tenant under New York state law.

If you’ve got legal concerns related to landlord-tenant law, real estate law, family law, divorce, estate planning, and probate law, contact us now and schedule an initial consultation. Our law firm serves clients in East Islip, Suffolk County, and more areas in New York.