Case Type

Illegal Lockout

Housing Type

Other

Court

Supreme Court, Appellate Term, Second Department

County

Kings County (Brooklyn)

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

2025-192 KC

Slip Opinion Number

2026 NY Slip Op 50714(U)

Petitioner

Melissa Hampton

Respondent

Maujer, LLC; Danella Forcier

Judge

Toussaint, Wavny; Buggs, Cheree A.; Quinones, Joanne D.

Decision/Order Date

2026-05-01

Posture

Pre-answer Motion by Landlord

Disposition

Motion Granted for Tenant

Winner

Tenant Substantially Won

Synopsis

The appeals court reversed the lower court's dismissal of an illegal lockout petition. The landlord had moved to dismiss based on a purported sublease, alleging the tenant had no rights to the apartment. However, the appeals court found it improper for the lower court to rely on the sublease because it was unauthenticated and not fully executed. Therefore, the documentary evidence did not, as a matter of law, demonstrate that the landlord and occupant did not enter the property by force or unlawful means, and dismissal of the petition was unwarranted. The petition was reinstated against both respondents.

Keywords

Illegal Lockout; Unauthenticated Documentary Evidence

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