In the Matter of Unlawful Evictions

Unlawful Evictions: Some landlords might begin to take matters into their own hands and attempt to evict tenants themselves in the absence of a court order, according to NY-AG. It is an unlawful eviction if a person evicts or attempts to evict a person by: Using or threatening the use of force; Interrupting or discontinuing essential services (i.e. heat, water, electricity); Removing the occupant’s possessions from the dwelling unit; Removing the door at the entrance to the dwelling unit; Removing, plugging, or otherwise rendering the lock on the entrance door inoperable; Changing the lock on an entrance door without supplying the occupant with a key; and Any other action which prevents or is intended to prevent the occupant from the lawful occupancy of the dwelling unit, which interferes or intends to interfere with the occupant’s use and occupancy of the dwelling unit, or induces the occupant to vacate.

Summary generated from official New York Attorney General press release