Landlord Can Get Apartment for Elderly Parents

LVT Number: 10326

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant in order to move his elderly parents in. Tenant, who had lived in the apartment for 23 years, claimed that landlord wasn't acting in good faith. At trial, landlord's parents testified that they honestly intended to live in the apartment. Landlord's parents were in their 80s. Landlord's father was wheelchair-bound. Landlord wanted to have his parents nearby because their health was failing. He sought tenant's first-floor apartment, given his father's condition and the fact that there was no elevator.

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant in order to move his elderly parents in. Tenant, who had lived in the apartment for 23 years, claimed that landlord wasn't acting in good faith. At trial, landlord's parents testified that they honestly intended to live in the apartment. Landlord's parents were in their 80s. Landlord's father was wheelchair-bound. Landlord wanted to have his parents nearby because their health was failing. He sought tenant's first-floor apartment, given his father's condition and the fact that there was no elevator. The court ruled for landlord, who had showed the good-faith intent to make the apartment his parents' primary residence.

Sfera v. Puccio: NYLJ, p. 34, col. 3 (1/10/96) (Civ. Ct. Queens; Haber, J)