Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City Landlords Can Now Be Sued for Harassment
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 14, 2008
Modified Mar 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 14, 2008
Modified Mar 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday Mayor Bloomberg signed off on the city’s first law enabling tenants to sue landlords in Housing Court for systemic harassment. Previously, tenants had to take landlords to court for each and every violation, such as failure to provide hot water or letting so much water leak that floors collapse. The so-called Tenant Protection Act is primarily aimed at landlords who are trying to force tenants out of rent-regulated apartments in order to bump the rent up to obscene market rates.
The new law was cheered by tenants at a rally outside City Hall yesterday; one of them told the Times that when she complained about problems with bed bugs, “her landlord told her to put the insects in a tortilla and eat them.” Though the civil penalties for harassment seem a little low – fines range from $1,000 to $5,000 – the Rent Stabilization Association, which represents 25,000 city property owners and managers, lobbied hard against the law. A representative for the group insisted to the Times that tenant harassment was not widespread and that the bill would glut the Housing Court with frivolous lawsuits.
Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn (pictured at yesterday's rally), who co-sponsored the bill, has promised to provide more resources to the court as needed. And regarding the frivolous lawsuit concerns, Louise Seeley, executive director of the City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court, notes that 98 percent of housing court cases are filed by landlords. Testifying at a committee hearing, she pointed out that “emptying long-standing tenants from buildings is a business plan. Tenants do not have the time and money to spend the day in housing court [over frivolous cases].” And the new law allows landlords to be compensated for their attorney’s fees when cases are deemed frivolous.
Photo: Bill Alatriste.
Tagged
harassment
housing court
landlords
rent stabilization association
tenant protection act
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .