Additional clarification of deposits

[macnyc2003]

Every year when the residents of my complex renew our leases, the landlord requests information: names of all occupants, maybe Social Security numbers, phone numbers, person to contact in case of emergency, etc. Nothing financial, but it irked me to be asked. So I consulted with a law firm that our tenants association had engaged to advise residents (this was back when the landlord was trying to kick people out of their apartments).

The lawyer told me that rent-stabilized tenants have no obligation to provide any additional information to the landlord. The example he gave me as a precedent was a case when a landlord's office had a fire, which destroyed all the tenants' information. Even then, the landlord was not allowed to ask his tenants for the information they had already supplied and had gone up in smoke.

So every year I write on the form that legal counsel has advised me I don't have to supply the info. (I do give emergency contacts though. You never know!)

If your landlord has a true reason for asking you for this information, make him show you what it is.

[tlane11]

I would make the landlord provide proof from HPD that it's needed (which it shouldn't be bc you have already been approved). Sounds like someone in their office messed up/wants more info for some reason. I wouldn't provide it unless HPD asks.

[maxxx65]

Thank you for the input! I have nothing to hide, was just curious when I’ve already provided information. I was told they were just going through all the files to make sure everything is good. Not sure what to believe lol.

[randomperson2]

Maybe they're being audited? But that doesn't explain the month discrepancy.