Case Type

Non-payment

Housing Type

Other

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

Queens County (Queens)

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

316377/202

Slip Opinion Number

2025 NY Slip Op 51604(U)

Petitioner

Ceylon Leasing; LP

Respondent

Lisselotte Ventura; ARIANI GUZMAN ALEJO; JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE

Judge

Ibrahim; Shorab

Decision/Order Date

2025-10-08

Posture

Post-judgment Motion by Tenant

Disposition

Case Dismissed/discontinued

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

In this nonpayment proceeding; the court held a traverse hearing after the tenant moved to vacate a default judgment. Both the process server and the tenant were deemed credible. However; the court found the landlord failed to prove proper in-hand service of process by a preponderance of the evidence; citing a significant discrepancy between the tenant's physical appearance and the description in the affidavit of service; which aligned more closely with the tenant's mother. As the landlord did not move to amend the service type; the court could not sua sponte deem it substitute service. Consequently; personal jurisdiction over the tenant was lacking; leading to the motion being granted and the petition dismissed.

Keywords

Personal Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Traverse Sustained; Default Judgment Vacated and Petition Dismissed

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