Posted by Anna on July 30, 1999 at 12:31:52:
http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/
Rent Administration - Fact Sheets #30 - Succession Rights
For rent stabilized and rent controlled apartments throughout New York State, any “family member” of the tenant (see definition of “family member” below) may have the right to a renewal lease (rent stabilization) or protection from eviction (rent control) when the tenant dies or permanently leaves the apartment.
The family member's right to a renewal lease or protection from eviction is dependent upon such family member having resided with the tenant as a primary resident in the apartment for two (2) years immediately prior to the death of, or permanent leaving of, the apartment by the tenant (1 year for family members who are senior citizens or disabled persons - see definitions below). The family member may also have the right to a renewal lease or protection from eviction if he/she resided with the tenant from the inception of the tenancy or from the commencement of the relationship.
The Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997 (RRRA of 1997) changed the law of succession rights in three significant ways.
First, the RRRA of 1997 eliminated uncle, aunt, nephew and niece from the definition of "family member." These persons are no longer entitled to receive a lease or to remain in possession after the tenant vacates solely because of their blood relation with the tenant. These persons may be entitled to succeed to a rent-regulated apartment if they can prove that they had an emotional and financial commitment and interdependence, as further defined below, with the tenant.
Second, the right of a family member to receive a renewal lease or to be protected from eviction after the tenant leaves, without being required to pay the owner a vacancy increase, is now limited to the first family member who, on or after June 20, 1997, receives a renewal lease or is protected from eviction.
However, thereafter, upon the vacating of the family member who signed a renewal lease or who remained in possession, the owner will be entitled to collect all applicable vacancy increases from the next family member who is entitled to receive a lease or to remain in possession. Thereafter, each second subsequent succession is subject to the vacancy increase.
For example, Tenant A vacated a rent stabilized apartment on August 1, 1997. Family member B, who has lived with A as a primary resident of the apartment for three years, is entitled to receive a renewal lease for the apartment without paying the owner any vacancy increases. B signs, in B's name only, a renewal lease starting September 1, 1997. Family member C began to live with A and B shortly before A left. If B were to leave the apartment after two years, and C were entitled to receive a lease in C's own name because of the succession rules, C would be required to pay to the owner all applicable vacancy increases authorized by the Rent Stabilization Law, as amended by the Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997. If C vacated and D became entitled to a renewal lease as a successor, D would not have to pay a vacancy increase.
For additional information on these vacancy increases, see Fact Sheet #5,"Vacancy Leases in Rent Stabilized Apartments;" and Fact Sheet #26, "Guide to Rent Increases for Rent Stabilized Apartments in New York City." These vacancy increases also apply to apartments that remain rent controlled upon the vacating of the first family member, and when the second family member is entitled to possession of the apartment because of succession rules.
Family Member
"Family member" is defined as a husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the tenant or permanent tenant.
The definition of "family member" also includes any other person(s) residing with the tenant or permanent tenant in the housing accommodation as a primary resident, who can prove emotional and financial commitment and interdependence between such person(s) and the tenant.
The following are to be considered in determining whether emotional and financial commitment and interdependence between the tenant and such other occupants existed:
(a) longevity of the relationship;
(b) sharing of or relying upon each other for payment of household or family expenses, and/or other common necessities of life;
(c) intermingling of finances as evidenced by, among other things, joint ownership of bank accounts, personal and real property, credit cards, and loan obligations, sharing a household budget for purposes of receiving government benefits, etc.;
(d) engaging in family-type activities by jointly attending family functions, holidays and celebrations, social and recreational activities, etc.;
(e) formalizing of legal obligations, intentions, and responsibilities to each other by such means as executing wills, naming each other as executor and/or beneficiary, granting each other a power of attorney and/or conferring upon each other authority to make health care decisions each for the other, entering into a personal relationship contract, making a domestic partnership declaration, or serving as a representative payee for purposes of public benefits, etc.;
(f) holding themselves out as family members to other family members, friends, members of the community or religious institutions, or society in general, through their words or actions;
(g) regularly performing family functions, such as caring for each other’s extended family members and/or relying upon each other for daily family services;
(h) engaging in any other pattern of behavior, agreement, or other action which evidences the intention of creating a long-term, emotionally committed relationship.
The determination is not limited to any one factor, and in no event would evidence of a sexual relationship between such persons be required or considered. "Tenant" relates to any person or persons named on a lease or rental agreement who is or are obligated to pay rent for the use of the housing accommodation.
"Permanent tenant" relates to individuals who have continuously resided in housing accommodations located in hotels as a primary residence for a period of at least six months, or a hotel tenant in occupancy pursuant to or entitled to a lease.
Disabled Person
"Disabled person" is defined as a person who has an impairment which results from anatomical, physiological or psychological conditions, other than addiction to alcohol, gambling, or any controlled substance, which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques, and which substantially limit one or more of such person’s major life activities.
Senior Citizen
"Senior citizen" is defined as a person who is sixty-two years of age or older.
Minimum Residency Requirements
The minimum periods of required residency will not be considered interrupted by any period during which the “family member” temporarily relocates because he or she:
(i) is engaged in active military duty;
(ii) is enrolled as a full-time student;
(iii)is not in residence at the housing accommodation in accordance with a court order not involving any term or provision of the lease and not involving any grounds specified in the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law;
(iv) is engaged in employment requiring temporary relocation from the housing accommodation;
(v) is hospitalized for medical treatment; or
(vi) has such other reasonable grounds that shall be determined by the DHCR upon application by such person.
On the Notice To Owner Of Family Members Residing With The Named Tenant In The Apartment Who May Be Entitled To Succession Rights/Protection From Eviction (DHCR Form RA-23.5), the tenant may at any time, inform the owner of the names of all persons (other than the tenant), who are residing in the apartment. Or, the owner may at any time, but no more than once in any twelve months, request from the tenant the names of all such persons. The following information pertaining to such persons should accompany the names:
(1) if the person is a family member as defined above;
(2) if the person may become entitled to be named as a tenant on a renewal lease or become entitled to protection from eviction upon the passage of the applicable minimum period of required residency;
(3) the date of the commencement of such person’s primary residence with the tenant; and
(4) if the person is a senior citizen or disabled person as defined above.
Failure of the tenant to provide such information to the owner, regardless of whether the owner requests the information, shall place upon all such persons whose names were not submitted, and who seek to exercise the right to be named as a tenant on a renewal lease or to protection from eviction, the affirmative obligation to establish such right.
For more information or assistance, call the DHCR Rent InfoLine, or visit your Borough or County Rent Office.
Central
92-31 Union Hall Street
4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433
(718) 739-6400
Brooklyn
55 Hanson Place
7th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Upper Manhattan
163 W. 125th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10027
North side of 110th St. and above
Nassau County
50 Clinton Street
6th Floor
Hempstead, NY 11550
Westchester County
55 Church Street
White Plains, NY 10601
Lower Manhattan
25 Beaver Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
South side of 110th St. and below
Bronx
1 Fordham Plaza
2nd Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
Staten Island
60 Bay Street
7th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301
Rockland County
94-96 North Main Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977
07/99 Revised
Last updated on 07/28/99
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