New York Apartment Law Insider
The May 1 Compliance Crunch Deadline: What You Need to File and Install
Mar 28, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
As May 1 approaches, owners face a dense lineup of compliance deadlines tied to the city’s push for safer, greener buildings. Four separate local laws, some newly in force and others ongoing, all share the same due date. This year marks the first mandatory reporting date under Local Law 97, the city’s sweeping climate legislation targeting building emissions. At the same time, owners must meet existing requirements under Local Laws 84 and 88, including energy benchmarking,...

Commercial Lease Law Insider
How to Accept Partial Rent Payments Without Waiving Right to Collect Full Amount Owed
Mar 26, 2025
Feature
By Glenn S. Demby
Tenants that are strapped for cash may send a check covering only part of the rent due for that particular month. Such partial rent checks may create a major dilemma for landlords. On the one hand, partial payment is better than no payment at all. The problem is that by accepting a partial payment you may waive your right to collect the balance due. And because waivers are hard to undo, if you make a practice of cashing partial rent checks, you may even be granting the...
Fair Housing Coach
The Big Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Fair Housing Law
Mar 25, 2025
All Protected Classes
By Glenn S. Demby
In honor of Fair Housing Month, our April issue takes a break from our usual lesson to test your knowledge of fair housing law. Based on your answers to our quiz, you’ll be able to identify any potential problem areas that might merit some further attention or training. You can then browse our website for lessons on the topics you or your staff should brush up on.
Assisted Housing Management Insider
New Violence Against Women Act Model Forms: What You Need to Know
Mar 17, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
HUD’s updates to the forms offer clearer language, stronger confidentiality measures, and a new data collection component.
How to Collect Higher Monthly Surcharges for Tenant-Installed Appliances
Feb 26, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
New monthly surcharges take effect immediately, and the state housing agency will apply them in all currently pending cases in which the owner is seeking a surcharge for one of these tenant-installed appliances. It’s important to note that the surcharge policy applies only to washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. No surcharges can be imposed for other tenant-installed appliances such as refrigerators or garbage disposals.

New York Apartment Law Insider

DHCR Updates Reasonable Cost Schedule for MCIs
Jan 29, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
The list of improvements and installations that may qualify as an MCI has been expanded.

What You Need to Know About NYC’s Fair Chance for Housing Act
Dec 23, 2024
Feature
By Eric Yoo
New rules take effect for performing criminal background checks on applicants.
Provide Annual Stove Knob Cover Notices by Jan. 16
Dec 23, 2024
Management Basics
By Eric Yoo
And retain related records or risk facing a Class B hazardous violation.
File Annual Drinking Water Storage Tank Inspection Results with DOHMH by Jan. 15
Dec 23, 2024
Management Basics
By Eric Yoo
Or risk a violation.

DOT Releases E-Bike Charging Pilot Program Report
Dec 23, 2024
In the News
By Eric Yoo
Outdoor hubs look to be a practical alternative to indoor charging.
NY Attorney General’s Office Secures $6.5M Settlement to Protect Tenants
Dec 23, 2024
In the News
By Eric Yoo
Property management firm repeatedly violated local laws related to lead paint, pests, and mold.

Assisted Housing Management Insider

HUD Publishes Updated FAQ on HOTMA Implementation
Dec 18, 2024
Feature
By Eric Yoo
Get up to speed before the compliance date .... HUD’s Office of Multifamily Programs recently released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQ) concerning the implementation of provisions of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) of 2016. The FAQ includes information on the phased-in medical hardship relief provision as detailed in the HOTMA final rule, HOTMA-compliant Tenant Selections Plans at Management and Occupancy Reviews, and use of the rent...

Getting Solar, Cell Tower, and Rooftop Lease Approval from HUD
Nov 22, 2024
Feature
By Eric Yoo
A new HUD notice offers both opportunities and responsibilities for owners.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Celebrates 50 Years
Oct 31, 2024
Online Alerts
This month, HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program celebrated its 50th anniversary. The HCV program is HUD’s single largest investment in affordable housing. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon, the program encompasses a network of about 2,200 state and local public housing agencies (PHAs). And more than 5 million people in 2.3 million low-income families use vouchers.
Best Practices for Implementing an Integrated Pest Management Program
Oct 17, 2024
Feature

Avoid 10 Pitfalls When Responding to Sexual Harassment Complaints
Oct 17, 2024
Compliance
HUD Delays HOTMA Compliance Date for MFH Programs
Oct 17, 2024
Compliance

Fair Housing Coach

11 Recordkeeping Best Practices for Minimizing Fair Housing Liability
Feb 24, 2025
Leasing
By Glenn S. Demby
Sooner or later, somebody is bound to accuse you of discrimination. If and when that time comes, the mere fact that you comply may not be enough to protect you. You’ll also need proof of compliance.

Avoid Potential Fair Housing Liability When Dealing with Tenants’ Guests
Jan 23, 2025
All Protected Classes
By Glenn S. Demby
Follow our 8 rules for dealing with common situations where discrimination problems are most likely to arise.
2024 Fair Housing Litigation Scorecard
Dec 30, 2024
All Protected Classes
By Glenn S. Demby
We review the year’s key cases and their practical impact on you.
The 10 Most Common Accessibility Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Nov 22, 2024
Disability
By Glenn S. Demby
This month’s lesson is dedicated to helping you root out potential accessibility violations while you still have time to resolve them. First, we’ll explain the different accessibility laws that may apply to your property and the basic design standards they require you to meet. Then, we’ll point out 10 of the most common accessibility pitfalls and how to avoid them.

N.H. Property Managers Charged with Discrimination for Retaliatory Eviction
Nov 4, 2024
Cases and Settlements
HUD recently announced that it has charged a landlord and its property managers in Manchester, N.H. with violating the Fair Housing Act by retaliating, threatening, or interfering with a tenant’s fair housing rights.
Avoiding Discrimination Against Unmarried Couples
Oct 21, 2024
Leasing
We explain the current laws governing a landlord’s right to deny housing to people based on their marital status, including unmarried couples. Then we give eight rules to help you avoid committing marital status discrimination in the parts of the country where it’s prohibited.

Tax Credit Housing Management Insider

How to Count Income of Student Household Members Under New Rules
Feb 28, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
We’ll break down the new HOTMA methodology, explain the two categories of student financial assistance, and show you how to calculate what counts as income. We’ll also go over considerations for applicants with Section 8 assistance versus those without.

HUD Releases Final Rule for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Jan 31, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
The most significant update to the HOME program since 2013, the rule aligns rental limits and strengthens tenant protections.
Use FAQ to Introduce Prospective Residents to LIHTC Program Housing
Dec 30, 2024
Feature
By Eric Yoo
Clear up confusion between tax credit housing and other federal programs.
USDA Prioritizes Loans for LIHTC Sites Waiving Qualified Contract Rights
Dec 30, 2024
In the News
By Eric Yoo
The QC loophole has cost an estimated loss of 6,000 to 10,000 affordable units a year.

Trump Nominates Bessent as Treasury Secretary, Turner for HUD
Dec 30, 2024
In the News
By Eric Yoo
If they’re confirmed, expect stricter oversight of the LIHTC program and deep cuts for HUD funding.
Consider 5 Items When Negotiating Rooftop Leases
Dec 2, 2024
Feature
By Eric Yoo
Rooftop leases offer owners a chance to align financial objectives with sustainability and innovation. With careful planning, rooftop leases can transform underutilized spaces into valuable assets and access new revenue streams while contributing to affordable housing’s resilience and environmental goals.

Commercial Lease Law Insider

Get 16 Lease Protections When Letting Tenants Use Conference Center
Feb 27, 2025
Feature
By Glenn S. Demby
High on the short list of game-changing amenities is common workspace and conference facilities. We’ll take a look at the concept, explain how to create a leasing strategy to implement it, and give you a Model Lease Clause incorporating 16 legal protections landlords that offer conference center amenities need.

Get 9 Protections When Agreeing to Take Over a New Tenant’s Lease
Jan 31, 2025
Feature
By Glenn S. Demby
What do you do when a desirable tenant that you badly want is currently stuck in a lease at another location? One possibility is to enter into a takeover arrangement under which you pay the tenant’s monthly obligations under the existing lease through the end of its term. But while this frees up the tenant to move into your property, it may also expose you to unforeseen risks and liabilities.
Get Right to Perform Environmental Audit at Lease End
Dec 31, 2024
Feature
By Glenn S. Demby
Minimize your risk of liability for any pollution a tenant causes.
How to Ensure Your Fair Share of a Tenant’s Sublet Profits
Nov 26, 2024
Feature
By Glenn S. Demby
Tenants can come up with clever ways to deprive landlords of sublet profits.

We explain the current laws governing a landlord’s right to deny housing to people based on their marital status, including unmarried couples. Then we give eight rules to help you avoid committing marital status discrimination in the parts of the country where it’s prohibited.