NYC Landlords Almost Never Get Arrested for Illegal DIY Evictions (New York: apartment, renter)

[Aeran]

Omg. Landlords & tenants. They're both playing dirty. I am not surprised. Most of them are happening in The Bronx and the south eastern portion of Queens judging from the map.

https://www.thecity.nyc/housing/2022...ctions-arrests

While thousands of tenants have filed cases claiming their landlords locked them out to defy the eviction moratorium, just a handful have been charged for the crime.

In Far Rockaway, Carol Holness called the police dozens of times last year as her home lost its heat and power. Eventually, her landlord changed the locks on her door.

In Corona, Norma and Luis fled flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that poured water waist high in their basement apartment. Their possessions — including his food delivery scooter — were destroyed. They sought a pause on rent, but their landlord told them to leave instead.

Evicting tenants without getting a judge’s order in Housing Court first is a crime in New York, and not an uncommon one.

By law, landlords who try to evict tenants by harassment, intentionally cutting utilities or changing the locks can be arrested, issued a summons, and even go to jail for up to a year. The NYPD bears the responsibility to enforce the city and state’s unlawful eviction laws, as detailed in police bulletins, legal guidances and the police patrol guide.

But during the pandemic — a time of extraordinary hardship for renters and landlords alike — the police rarely did, even as thousands of tenants filed Housing Court cases against their landlords for the same acts.

The NYPD made just 39 arrests for the crime of unlawful eviction in 2020 and 2021, when that crime was the top charge listed at arraignment, state court data shows. The city’s district attorneys have disclosed a dozen other cases in that time where landlords were charged with unlawful eviction in combination with other charges, such as assault.

[Dave 92 LSC]

Land lord should not have to carry the expenses, mortgage on the property just because renter cant pay rent. Its just irrational. Did mortgage payments freeze? No. Electricity? Gas? No.
IM surprised more people were not thrown out for not paying.
Lock downs were there to destroy the middle class. Evidence is there in front of you.

[Tiredofnyclife]

This is NYC. If you want to evict deadbeat tenants just get Immigration to come for them - especially those in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

[Dave 92 LSC]

Originally Posted by Tiredofnyclife

This is NYC. If you want to evict deadbeat tenants just get Immigration to come for them - especially those in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

Not all immigrants are illegal. A friend of mine is renting his house to a few tenants, some illegal and everyone paid on time. These are hard working people who dont take housing for granted.

[Tiredofnyclife]

Originally Posted by Dave 92 LSC

Not all immigrants are illegal. A friend of mine is renting his house to a few tenants, some illegal and everyone paid on time. These are hard working people who dont take housing for granted.

If they paid on time then there's no problem. My previous post was directed at deadbeats.

[Mr.Retired]

Originally Posted by Aeran

The NYPD made just 39 arrests for the crime of unlawful eviction in 2020 and 2021, when that crime was the top charge listed at arraignment, state court data shows. The city’s district attorneys have disclosed a dozen other cases in that time where landlords were charged with unlawful eviction in combination with other charges, such as assault.

It was only a matter of time Landlords finally
saw justice after being abused by so many
free loaders.