Tentant in hospital - NYC

[Barbara S.]

Hello,

I am in NYC, a very tenant friendly, not landlord friendly city.  I have an elderly tenant, one who has resided in this building for 40 years. He has no family at all.  The only point of contact I have for him is a friend of the family, basically his friend's son in law checks in on him occasionally.  He is a complete mess.  His apartment smells, he doesn't bathe and I cannot tell you the last time he did laundry.  I have called Dept for the aging and they have checked on him but do nothing to help him.  He is currently in the hospital after falling down the stairs.  He refused immediate medical attention but eventually an ambulance was called for him. What do I do? I want him out.  He is a danger to himself and everyone else in the small 3 unit building.  He has left the front doors unlocked several times.  He will be going to a rehab facility for the next month or so.  What do I do if he doesn't pay his rent? Who do I call? After his fall, he urinated in his bed, the apartment smells like urine, my other tenants are complaining of the smell.  What are my rights as a landlord? 

Thanks, I am very frustrated with this situation. I know I sound like a horrible person, but he has completely destroyed the apartment and it will need a complete renovation when he moves out, I know that will all come out of my pocket, but I don't want to lose months of rents too.  If he doesn't leave the nursing home, what happens next? Do I need to find an attorney to start eviction process?