Case Type

Other

Housing Type

Market Rate

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

Kings County (Brooklyn)

Slip Opinion Number

2026 NY Slip Op 51358(U)

Petitioner

D&R Realty Associates

Respondent

Tamar Lichtman; Judah Levenson

Judge

Eze, Chidi A.

Decision/Order Date

2026-08-05

Posture

Post-Trial Motion by Landlord

Disposition

Judgment for Tenant

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

After trial, court finds tenants (defendants) not liable for breaking lease before term ended because landlord unreasonably rejected multiple proposed assignees under RPL § 226-b. Because tenants gave timely 30-day notice of intent to vacate, they were released from the lease by operation of law and not responsible for damages. Court enters money judgment in tenants' favor for return of security deposit.

Keywords

Civil Court Action for Tenants' Breaking of Lease; After Trial Tenants Found to Have Complied RPAPL § 226-b by Giving Timely Notice of Intention to Vacate Before End of Lease Term; Landlord Unreasonably Rejected Potential Candidates for Assignment of Lease Proposed by Tenants; Tenants Not Liable for Damages for Breaking Lease; Judgment Entered in Tenants' Favor for Return of Security Deposit

Share

COinS