Case Type

Non-payment

Housing Type

Rent Stabilized

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

Queens County (Queens)

L&T / Index / Case / Docket / Clerk's Number

316262/2022

Slip Opinion Number

2025 NY Slip Op 51103(U)

Petitioner

Central Astoria, LLC

Respondent

Mohammad Choudhury, Rubina Choudhury, and Labiba Choudhury

Judge

Ibrahim, Shorab

Decision/Order Date

2025-07-14

Posture

Post-answer Motion by Tenant

Disposition

Motion Granted for Tenant

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

In this nonpayment case, the court granted the tenant's motion to amend her answer to include a succession claim and challenge the legal rent. The court found the amendment should be freely granted as it wouldn't prejudice the landlord. However, the court denied the tenant's motion for summary judgment, holding that a rent overcharge claim is not a standalone defense in a nonpayment proceeding until succession rights are established. The case was accordingly set for trial to first determine the succession issue.

Keywords

Motion to amend answer freely granted; Succession not a per se defense to nonpayment; Successor in waiting may challenge alleged rent; Rent overcharge claim can only be raised after succession rights established

Share

COinS