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Can I still receive a buyout if I stopped paying rent?
Anonymous3 views2 answers
I live in a rent controlled apt which rent is $600/month. I haven't paid in the past 8 months because small repairs have not been done in my home. I don't have a lease. My landlord has texted me about my non payment of rent and I've ignored her. She texted me that she's gonna do a 72 hour eviction. Today I went to court to file harassment papers against her. I don't feel I should pay the 8 months of back rent. Also, the building is being sold and I only want to stay until I am bought out. Can I still receive a buyout?
Dear Brooklyn Tenant:
You have made a poor decision to hold onto rent. A rent controlled tenant has a lifetime guarantee of tenancy, without need for a renewal lease, and all the tenant need to do to protect a right to live forever in the apartment is pay rent. If you had small repairs and the repairs were not made, Housing Court will not even award an abatement in your nonpayment trial without the city citing the landlord for violations of the Housing Maintenance Code if you called 311 to complain and an inspector came to verify the defective conditions.
No landlord will ever offer a significant ($100,000 or more) buyout for a Rent Controlled tenant who is handing a landlord a simple and easy eviction lawsuit by not paying rent. No landlord offers a significant buyout when the tenant asks for a buyout. If at all possible, maximize your position by not jeopardizing your tenancy by withholding rent in a Rent Controlled apartment.
Hire a lawyer (experienced tenant rights attorney) now.
