Recommendations needed for a New York City eviction Attorney

[Daniel C.]

I have a tenant who has been repeatedly slacking on rental payments. Sometimes, she'll skip a month or two, but then catches up with overdue rents. But this recurring on again / off again payments is frustrating and annoying.

As most New York investors know, evictions in NYC can take a very long time - sometimes 6 months; and in some cases a year plus. Some tenants know how to play the game very well since New York is VERY pro-tenant! I suspect rent is not a priority for her because she knows by the time paperwork is filed, and a few court appearances get postponed, she would have paid up. I know it's better to try to turn a non-paying tenant into a tenant, then going through the eviction process - but the feeling of getting taken advantage of is like a gnawing pit in your stomach. But I acknowledge that it's my fault as I let sympathy get in the way when it started happening.

Aside from the few months of non-payments, and then catching up - there are no other issues with her. The initial tenant screening about 7 years ago was good - although I've gotten much more stringent on screening process since joining BP about a year ago.

Does anyone have recommendations on a good eviction attorney in the Brooklyn (or New York City area)? Have you used them personally? If so, let me know what the experience was like.

Or if you think hiring property management company temporarily to handle the situation is a better option.

Thanks.

[Eddie V.]

Daniel, if there's nothing else other than late rent, it'll be very hard to find a court supported reason to evict. Courts will just arbitrate especially with De'Blasio and you'll waste a lot of time and money on an attorney. You may consider charging late fees or build that into your next lease. If the apt is unregulated your best bet is not to offer a new lease and/or jack the rent up. At that point she may refuse both and stay put but then you'd have a cause. Property management is a preferential to how hands off you want to be. They still need a valid reason. If you want LT references, PM me. Good luck!