Interest Awarded on Attorney's Fees for Overcharge Case

LVT Number: 18871

Rent-stabilized tenant sued landlord for a rent overcharge. The court ruled for tenant, but found that the overcharge wasn't willful. The court also awarded tenant attorney's fees. Tenant appealed. The appeals court ruled for tenant in part. Landlord proved that the overcharge wasn't willful. And the attorney's fees award was reasonable. But the appeals court awarded interest to tenant on the attorney's fees, from August 2000, the midway point between January 1998, when the lower court first ruled for tenant, and April 2003, when the court awarded attorney's fees.

Rent-stabilized tenant sued landlord for a rent overcharge. The court ruled for tenant, but found that the overcharge wasn't willful. The court also awarded tenant attorney's fees. Tenant appealed. The appeals court ruled for tenant in part. Landlord proved that the overcharge wasn't willful. And the attorney's fees award was reasonable. But the appeals court awarded interest to tenant on the attorney's fees, from August 2000, the midway point between January 1998, when the lower court first ruled for tenant, and April 2003, when the court awarded attorney's fees.

Negron v. Goldman: NYLJ, 5/10/06, p. 32, col. 1 (App. T. 1 Dept.; McCooe, JP, Gangel-Jacob, J)