Case Type

Non-payment

Housing Type

Other

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

New York County (Manhattan)

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

324234/23

Slip Opinion Number

2025 NY Slip Op 35131(U)

Petitioner

Intercontinental St Nicholas Associates LLC

Respondent

Roberto Honrado Alvarado, Yudelki Villar de Honrado, "John Doe", "Jane Doe"

Judge

Blinova, Yekaterina

Decision/Order Date

2025-12-17

Posture

Post-answer Motion by Tenant

Disposition

Motion Granted for Tenant

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

In this nonpayment proceeding, the tenant moved to dismiss, arguing the landlord failed to obtain a valid certificate of occupancy (COO) after subdividing the apartment, violating Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL) § 301. The court found it undisputed that the apartment was altered requiring a new COO, which the landlord did not possess. Consequently, under MDL § 302(b), the landlord was barred from collecting rent for an apartment without a valid COO for the period of noncompliance. The court granted the tenant's motion, dismissing the nonpayment petition because the tenant has never lived in an apartment for which the landlord could legally collect rent.

Keywords

MDL § 301; MDL § 302(b); No Valid Certificate of Occupancy; Landlord Cannot Collect Rent

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