Questions in BOLD RED.
BIG QUESTION: We're in Astoria. Lease ends 5/31, no renewal form last 90-150 days. We brought up COMMON AREA heavy weed smell issue. If they non-renew us would that be landlord retaliation?
--------------------
More info: Jun 2022 - left CA so closer to grandson & daughter, lease in Queens 10 min walk
Nov 2022 - Asked to break lease with hopefully NO penalty, bec divorcing daughter thought of moving. Heard tenants say POSSIBLE. No answer. Let it go since daughter decided not moving
Feb 2023 - Strong spayed floral odor (NOT by building or management but by another tenant) to hide heavy weed/smoky smell in COMMON AREA. Sent update weekly when smells present
Mar 2023 - Management rep said FREE lease break BEC OF SMOKE/WEED
Apr 2023 - I responded a week later (was out of town) Clarified lease breaking & smell UNRELATED, not leaving (since no other apts in area close to daughter has criteria we need) but will take as credit for ONE free month with renewal
Realized & emailed NEVER got renewal notice within 90-150 days by law
Question: Is non-renewal/eviction by landlord based on our Smoke Free Air Act complaint a case for landlord RETALIATION?
What should I do if I don't get anything by 5/31?
I'm open to doing some homework myself.
Question: Should I call/not bother with any of the following?
Legal Aid Society,
Legal Services NYC,
Urban Justice Cntr,
NYC Tenant Protection Hotline?
Question: Should I:
Approach broker Serhant
Write CEO
Call/email NYC311
Online review with proof, pics, vids
Question: Can anyone recommend a good & reasonable landlord tenant attorney who handles cases in Queens? (Yes, looked online, but nothing like a recommendation.)
BONUS question - Is this acceptable or NOT? Been talking to several neighbors. Advertised rent is $2750, with a free month. Turns out they collect $3000/mo with ONE free month. $3000 is what is on lease contract, which in my case I got 9 months after moving in. Yep, you read that right. They basically took the $2750, multiplied it by the whole year, TWELVE months, then divided it by ELEVEN, to give the "illusion" of a free month. Their history on Streeteasy clearly shows the rent they were marketing.
Happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks