A recently passed New York law allowing tenants to sue for a “pattern of harassment” rather than a landlord’s specific act is getting a great kick-off. City authorities, investigating a stench, discovered that the basement and empty units of a building were filled with trash—including a bag of dead cats—in hopes that rent-stabilized apartment dwellers would flee the smell. “This case is not the only case of tenant harassment, but if it was the only case, it would be reason enough to have this law on the books,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Meanwhile, the Rent Stabilization Associaton—which represents landlords—says the language of the law is poorly drafted. Maybe they should add a statute clarifying when dead cats can or can’t be employed.
[Note: The cat in the photo is not dead, just playing in a bag. We promise.]
