37-year Tenant Forced Out

[chalance]

An old bar/inn in Orange County, NY, is under new ownership, and the new landlord plans to turn the bar into a restaurant and renovate the inn's (aka. rooming-house's) units and raise the rents:

"At the new rates of $500 for a room and $650 for an efficiency, the rent is still below the fair market rent of $694 for a studio or efficiency in Orange County, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But for a dozen tenants, it was still too much to pay, and they had to move out." (from the local paper)

Some of the tenants have been living there for 30+ years, so my question is: even though the building is unregulated and the rent is MTM, does a thirty-year tenant who cannot meet the new rent have any rights here?

Many thanks for any thoughts/feedback.

[HardKnocks]

Probably not. Unregulated and no lease means out in 30 days when given notice, and rent increases are what they are. There might be some provisions for elderly or disabled tenants, but other than that...

I'm assuming the owners will still have to go through the proper channels to evict anyone who holds over, though.

[Downtown]

Would suggest that any tenant(s) contact state reps to see if they can help.
There might be some social service groups available to help out with the new rent or relocation. If any are 62 or older would suggest senior services.

[chalance]

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful responses!

The tenant in question is 83 years-old, so yes, if there's a seniors provision, it would definitely apply. There could be others in the building who are in the same boat -- I will be sure to spread the word!

[HardKnocks]

If they're seniors or disabled, chances are the LL will have a very hard time just chucking them out. Good luck!