Landlords Lose Power in Eviction Battles Under New New York Law

"Syracuse, N.Y. -- Aaliyah Rowell walks into the front room of her family’s Syracuse apartment with her backpack on and shoes tied. The 6-year-old holds a basket of Barbies and princess dolls. She is ready to go.

She is being evicted.

This is the second time in six months that Rowell and her family are moving.

This time they go to a hotel. They hadn’t found a new apartment before a marshal tacked a court order to their door: You have 72 hours to get out.

If their landlord had filed against them two days later, the situation would be vastly different. That’s because a new law went into effect last month that drastically changes the rules for evictions across the state.

Tenants who once had to beg for mercy from their landlords are now guaranteed a list of specific rights that give them weeks, and sometimes months, more time before they can be kicked out. The provisions were largely overlooked in the conversation about the law, which also addressed rent control..."

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