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By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. January 17, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

A new bill titled NJ S3124, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on January 13, 2020. This bill requires landlords to allow tenants to pay rent up to three business days after an eviction order or lockout is executed and requires landlords to accept rent payments by any means.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. January 15, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

The new bill is titled S1493 Sca (1R) and it was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, January 13, 2020.   Generally, the new legislation aims at landlords who require renters to agree to automatic monthly debit payments as a condition of entering a new lease or renewing a lease.  The new legislation prohibits landlords from requiring residential tenants to pay rent and other related charges through electronic funds transfer and it requires landlords to provide receipts for cash payments. 

By Stephanie Wiegand, Esq. January 13, 2020 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

New York City has established a city-funded right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings. The right to counsel law, Local Law 136 of 2017, amended the New York City Administrative Code § 26-1301 et seq.  The law now requires New York City to build up the capacity of the City’s nonprofit legal services organizations over five years so that by 2022, the nonprofit organizations will be able to provide attorney representation for every low-income household in New York City that is subject to eviction in Housing Court.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 18, 2019 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Lawsuits arising from claims between landlords and tenants, or between community associations and unit owners, are unfortunately not uncommon. Whether acting as the Plaintiff or Defendant, it is important to understanding the basics of each type of suit before initiating or replying.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 13, 2019 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Over the years, an increasing number of shoppers purchase products online. This reality is especially true during the holiday season. While many buyers make these purchases through large retailers or companies with offices all over the country (e.g., Amazon.com, Target.com), many people still purchase from individuals who post advertisements online. With that in mind, it is essential that consumers be aware of what obstacles they may face when buying a faulty product from an out-of-state seller.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 12, 2019 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Rules and regulations are part of community association living, and as everyone knows, Rules and Regulations are useful only if enforced. Back in the early days of community association law, enforcement proceedings typically did not include the right to issue fines. Enforcement was by way of injunction. That turned out to be unreasonably expensive and impractical.  To have to bring a matter to the Court over someone parking in the wrong place, for example, was unhelpful in the extreme. Fortunately, the industry learned from its mistakes and began to include the right to issue fines, as an alternative to litigation. It may be hard to explain to some people that the ability to issue fines is a money-saving mechanism that inures to the benefit of both the Unit Owner and the Association, but it’s true.  

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. November 18, 2019 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are becoming more-and-more popular. At the same time, would-be drivers find themselves encountering more legal “potholes” en route to owning fuel-efficient cars. One such barrier is the fact that many community associations in New Jersey do not permit the installation of electric charging stations. However, proposed bills indicate that there may be some legal changes on the horizon.

October 7, 2019 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Good-Guy Guarantees are a staple of business rental agreements in New York. 

The purpose of a Good-Guy Guarantee is twofold. It allows a tenant to maintain limited rent liability. Simultaneously, it provides tenants with an additional incentive to avoid defaulting on the lease. It is essential that the Good-Guy Guarantee is adapted appropriately.

October 2, 2019 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Prior to this recent amendment, Hoboken’s Rent Control Ordinance included a provision that allowed landlords with rental properties subject to rent control to pass on large tax surcharges to tenants based on property tax increases dating back to 1988, regardless of when the landlord acquired the property.