Landlord Must Produce Rent History Records Pretrial

Landlord sued to evict month-to-month tenant, claiming that tenant unlawfully occupied a unit restricted to commercial use under the building's Certificate of Occupancy. Tenant claimed that he was rent stabilized and asked the court to permit pretrial questioning. The court ruled for tenant in part. Landlord was ordered to produce documents. The information sought was relevant, tenant showed ample need for production of rent history records, and tenant tailored his document demand to reduce any prejudice to landlord. The requested information was within landlord's knowledge and not available in the public domain. But tenant's request for pretrial questioning was denied as it would cause undue delay.

Chelsea Partners I LLC v. Romano: Index No. LT-081870-17, NYLJ No. 1541408886 (Civ. Ct. NY; 10/12/18; Chinea, J)