Case Type

Holdover-Non-primary Residence

Housing Type

Other

Court

Court of Appeals

County

New York County (Manhattan)

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

No. 111

Slip Opinion Number

2025 NY Slip Op 07079

Petitioner

Kermit Mantilla

Respondent

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, et al.

Judge

Cannataro, J., Chief Judge Wilson, Judges Garcia, Singas, Halligan, Rivera, and Troutman

Decision/Order Date

2025-12-18

Posture

Other

Disposition

Case Dismissed/discontinued

Winner

Landlord Substantially Won

Synopsis

In this CPLR article 78 proceeding, the Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a tenant's succession rights to a deceased brother's Mitchell-Lama apartment. The landlord (HPD) found the tenant failed to prove primary residency for the required one-year period prior to the brother's death, despite being an eligible family member and listed on income affidavits. While the tenant presented some evidence like SNAP correspondence and power of attorney over the brother's bank account, the Court held the agency had a rational basis for concluding this was insufficient. The Court emphasized its deferential standard of review for administrative determinations, upholding the landlord's decision.

Keywords

Mitchell-Lama; Succession; 28 RCNY 3-02; Rational Basis For Administrative Decision; Documentary Evidence Insufficient To Establish Succession

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