Removing tenants for extensive construction

[Robin Casper]

Hello all,

I just closed on a 6 unit building around Syracuse NY and the plan is to fully renovate down to studs. It also needs some structural repair. The building has 5 tenants currently living in squalor. All have public assistance and there are no leases.

My question is...what is the easiest route to getting them out? Can I just tell them i bought the building and tell them I’m going to be doing extensive demolition? If they refuse to leave and I had to evict in court, is redevelopment legitimate reason?

[Darius Ogloza]

As there are no leases, you would need to follow the New York procedures for terminating month to month tenancies (timely notice, etc).  These are not ordinary times, though, as you know with Covid-related restrictions.