Assemblyman Dinowitz Applauds Decision by New York State Court Of Appeals to Protect Tenants in Rent-Stabilized Apartments

New York State Court of Appeals declares rent-stabilized lease to be a public assistance benefit that cannot be seized by creditors during bankruptcy

Bronx, NY – In light of the New York State Court of Appeals ruling on Thursday that upheld the rights of tenants in rent-stabilized apartments, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) issued the following statement:

“I am exceedingly pleased that the New York State Court of Appeals sided with the millions of New Yorkers who rely on rent-stabilized leases to live in a city whose cost of living continues to rise. This ruling ensures that tenants who have filed for bankruptcy, but continue to pay rent, will not lose their apartments to creditors. I and a number of my colleagues in the Assembly submitted a brief arguing that a tenant’s rent-stabilized lease is not an asset like a car, but a vital public assistance benefit, and on Thursday, this argument was upheld by the New York State Court of Appeals with a 5-to-2 vote. This is a big victory for tenants and tenants’ rights in our state.”