Case Type

Holdover-Licensee

Housing Type

Rent Stabilized

Court

Civil Court of the City of New York

County

New York County (Manhattan)

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

51456/2018

Petitioner

ABJ 105 LLC

Respondent

Manuel Ramos, Angelica Cruz, Brunilda Guzman, Miguel Camacho

Judge

Stoller, Jack

Decision/Order Date

2026-03-26

Posture

Post-answer Motion by Landlord

Disposition

Other

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

The landlord commenced four holdover proceedings based on allegations of license termination. The parties, represented by counsel, settled the cases via stipulations recognizing the tenants as Rent-Stabilized and setting rents. The landlord moved to vacate the stipulations, claiming its attorney lacked authority due to "law office failure" and "miscommunication," a unilateral mistake. Tenants cross-moved for sanctions. The court denied the landlord's motion, finding insufficient cause to vacate the settlement, emphasizing that a unilateral mistake by the attorney, absent mutual mistake or fraud by the other party, is not grounds for vacatur. The court also denied the tenants' motion for sanctions, finding the landlord's arguments, though unpersuasive, were colorable.

Keywords

Unilateral Mistake; Attorney Fails to Demonstrate by Clear & Convincing Evidence that Stipulation of Settlement Should be Vacated Because Client Did Not Authorize the Settlement; Landlord’s Motion to Vacate Stipulations and Tenants’ Cross-Motions for Sanctions Denied

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