What to Know
- New York City’s eviction rate is rising after a moratorium in place due to the pandemic expired in January 2022, as are protections and rent relief programs for renters.
- New city data shows that during the last two weeks of January 2022, there were only 26 evictions in the entire city. Fast forward to January 2023, and there have been 350 evictions.
- Across the five boroughs, nearly 4,400 families and renters have been evicted from their homes since the eviction ban was lifted.
NEW YORK — New York City’s eviction rate is rising after a moratorium in place due to the pandemic expired in January 2022, as did rent relief programs and protections for tenants.
Since then, thousands of people have been evicted from their buildings. Programs like the New York Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP, will stop taking applications starting Friday, which means more evictions could follow as well.
The month-over-month increase in evictions is quite staggering. New city data shows that during the last two weeks of January 2022, there were only 26 evictions in the entire city. Fast forward to January 2023, and there have been 350 evictions.
On Jan. 12 alone, sheriffs executed more than 50 evictions in a single day.
Across the five boroughs, nearly 4,400 families and renters have been evicted from their homes since the eviction ban was lifted.
Orchid Nicholas is among those facing eviction as she and her daughter could be forced to leave their Flatbush, Brooklyn home.
“I’ve been looking for a place since 2021, the rent is through the roof,” said Nicholas.
But finding an affordable place to live is just as difficult as finding a free lawyer to represent you in housing court, says Nicholas.
“Calling to get lawyers, no answers. They keep referring us to different organizations and none have responded. Eventually I had to represent myself in the courtroom,” she said.
A lawyer representing both tenants and landlords said there has been a significant increase in one particular type of eviction, one that puts tenants in a difficult situation.
“Right now, we’re seeing more and more no-cause, no-cause evictions, which means the landlord doesn’t need a reason to evict you. With just the expiration of your lease, you can be in court,” the attorney said. High grace. Pierre-Outerbridge, who founded Outerbridge Law PC
She said there are still plenty of protections for tenants, and they typically have up to 6 months’ notice before a sheriff comes knocking on their door.
“It’s a city of renters, New York City is one of the largest renter cities in the world, so the protections for renters still apply,” Pierre-Outerbridge said.
But the problem is not limited to New York. In the first week of January alone, the Princeton University Eviction Lab has counted more than 9,300 evictions in the nine states and 32 cities it monitors.
What can tenants facing eviction do?
Familiarize yourself with the rights of tenants
While it’s a tough time for tenants with skyrocketing rents, the pandemic has also ushered in a new set of protections. It pays to do your research and familiarize yourself with the rights, experts say.
In certain cities, for example, landlords are now limited in how much they can raise their rent. If you’re facing eviction because of an increase that was illegal, it’s worth knowing: You may be able to raise this in housing court or with your landlord.
In some places, you are entitled to a fixed amount of notice of an eviction, such as at least 90 days in specific cases in Portland, Maine. During the school year, educators and families with school-age children recently won new eviction protections in Oakland, California.
In the meantime, if your landlord has raised your rent above a certain amount, you may be eligible in some cities, including Seattle and Portland, Oregon, to cover some of your moving costs.
work with a lawyer
If your landlord seeks to evict you, housing advocates recommend that you try to get a lawyer as soon as possible.
A study in New Orleans found that more than 65% of tenants without legal representation were evicted, compared to just 15% of those who had a lawyer with them at the hearing.
You can find free or low-cost legal help in your state at Lawhelp.org.
In a growing number of cities and states, including Washington, Maryland, and Connecticut, tenants facing eviction have the right to an attorney. You can find a larger list of those places at civilrighttocounsel.org.
Consider your rental options
Most of the rental assistance programs that opened during the pandemic are now closed, but some are still accepting applications.
On the National Low Income Housing Coalition website, you can find a state-by-state guide to assistance options and your state.
It’s not a strategy experts recommend, but some renters are using their credit cards to cover rent. Few owners or property managers accept plastic, so you’ll need to find a third-party processor, such as Plastiq or PayPal.
But this option should only be used in extreme situations, said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com.
“The biggest potential problem is carrying a balance and paying interest on your rent,” Rossman said. “This can make an already sizeable expense that much more substantial.”
Instead, he recommends that tenants ask the landlord for an extension or a payment plan. Other ways to calculate rent may include borrowing from family and friends, or from your retirement plan, Rossman said.
