Category: Miscellaneous

GTA STATEMENT ON GOOD CAUSE EVICTION 

Posted on by Shannon

On April 20, 2024, Governor Hochel signed the Good Cause Eviction (GCE) law into effect.  

DISCLAIMER: This statement does not constitute legal advice. Any tenant who wants to know how GCE applies to their apartment lease should contact a lawyer. GTA does not provide legal advice. This statement is for informational purposes only. 

The GCE law provides that, for covered apartments, the landlord cannot evict a tenant without “good cause.” Under the law, the landlord is effectively required to offer renewal leases with rent increase that are not “unreasonable.” A rent increase is presumed unreasonable if it is above the inflation index or 10%, whichever is lower. For New York City, the inflation index is defined as 5% plus the annual percentage change in the consumer price index (CPI) for all urban consumers for all items as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for New York-Newark-Jersey City. For 2024, this CPI is 3.82%, so, absent extraordinary circumstances, rent increases in covered apartments are limited to 8.82% in 2024. 

The GCE law applies to market rate tenants in all apartments in New York City buildings built before 2009 such as Gateway with very limited exceptions. One exception is the so-called “Luxury Exemption” where the apartment’s rent (before any increase on renewal) exceeds certain thresholds, as published by the New York Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). On May 4, 2024, DHCR published the following thresholds – if an apartment’s rent is at or below these numbers, the apartment should generally be covered by GCE: 

$5,846 – studio 
$6,005 – 1-bedroom 
$6,742 – 2-bedroom 
$8,413 – 3-bedroom 

GTA believes these published thresholds may be incorrect, and is seeking clarification on that issue. For now, however, these are the thresholds that DHCR says apply. 

The GCE limitations on renewal rent increases became effective April 20, 2024. Any market rate tenant whose renewal lease became effective on or after April 20, 2024 should review their renewal offer for applicability of and/or compliance with GCE. 

The GCE law provides tenants with other protections beyond the limits on rent increases. Many law firms and tenant advocacy groups have published summaries of the GCE law. Plugging “New York good cause eviction” into one of the major search engines will generate links to additional information. One useful source is: https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/housing-problems/what-you-need-to-know-about-new-yorks-good-cause-eviction-law/ 

Join Us

Posted on by Shannon

There is Power in Numbers! Please Join or Renew Your GTA Membership Today!

We invite all Gateway resident to join GTA. Our very existence depends upon the participation of the tenant population.

The larger our membership, the greater our power and influence.

Let your voice be heard and join others toward the betterment of our community!

Dues for membership are a true bargain — just $25 per household per calendar year.  We appreciate your support!

STAY CONNECTED

Website:    gpta.org

Email:    GatewayPlazaTA@gmail.com

Address:    GPTA, PO Box 3266, Church St. Station, New York, NY 10008

Twitter:   @GPTA_BPC

Facebook:   Gateway Plaza Tenants Association

GPTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President- Rosalie Joseph

1st Vice President- Robin Forst

2nd Vice President- Vittoria Fariello

Secretary- Jeff Galloway

Treasurer- Karlene Weiss

Board of Directors:

Sarah Cassell

Audrey Comisky

Larry Emert

Pat Gray

Howard Grossman

Steve Kessler

Shannon McCue

Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing at WTC5

Posted on by Honey Berk

What is the Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing at World Trade Center 5?

After September 11, 2001, New Yorkers made clear that the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan must include construction of desperately needed affordable housing. However, despite tens of billions spent and promises made by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), not one new affordable housing complex was built. 5 World Trade Center represents the last chance to make good. Instead, the LMDC and the Port Authority are seeking to authorize an 80-story luxury residential tower on public land at the site of the former 40-story Deutsche Bank building.

For over a decade, led by Lower Manhattan housing advocate Tom Goodkind, local residents advocated for the last remaining World Trade Center lot to be fully affordable and include housing opportunities for September 11 survivors and their families, first responders, and seniors. September 11 had many repercussions — including loss of life, illnesses, and psychological effects — that placed many New Yorkers and local residents in dire need of affordable housing. The 25% ratio pledged for this building is not sufficient in light of the need.

Long-time moderate and middle income residents are being forced from their homes. Their children, who survived and grew up in the aftermath of the terrorist attack and helped rebuild Lower Manhattan, cannot afford to live in the area. Much of the new luxury housing is not even succeeding. Many towers are unfilled or unfinished, including 125 Greenwich Street across the street from 5 World Trade Center, which entered foreclosure.

The proposed development with Silverstein Properties and Brookfield Properties, who have already received massive subsidies, does not reflect the best interests of the city or the input of the community. The LMDC was created in November 2001 specifically to dispense federal funding to rebuild Lower Manhattan. The lack of transparency and direct community-engagement by LMDC contradicts their published mission of an ‘open, inclusive, and transparent planning process in which the public has a central role in shaping the future of Lower Manhattan.’

Our goals

  • 5WTC should be 100% affordable housing, including preference for the responders and survivors, and their children, of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
  • Additional community representatives should be included on any Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
  • The community advisory process should include regular meetings and be transparent and open to the public.

How can I voice my support for this effort?

Please go to AffordableTower5.com and sign up!

Amenities Lease Addendum

Posted on by Honey Berk

Some of you may have received an Amenities Lease Addendum as part of your lease renewal package. GPTA raised objections to this Amenities rider with Greg Tumminia (Gateway General Manager). Although he defended the Amenities rider as consistent with market for the market rate tenants, Mr. Tumminia said that it was sent to some QRS tenants in error. Here’s what he said as to QRS tenants, “QRS amenity riders were sent in error. All QRS residents have the option of signing up for the health club at a $35.00 per month, per apartment rate. This is an option for QRS residents. The $35 per month, per apartment fee is substantially less than the current rate of $50 per person, per month.”

Accordingly, it appears that QRS tenants do not need to sign the Amenities Rider. If a QRS tenant is interested in health club access, the tenant can get access for $35 per month, but does not need to pay for any of the other amenities.

GPTA continues to believe that this Amenities rider is inappropriate for all tenants, including market rate tenants, and is advocating for removal of this rider for all residents.

Update: Class Action Suit Settlement

Posted on by Honey Berk

We have learned that the Gateway Plaza Class Action claims administrator has had further delays in calculating the settlement rental credits.  The word now is that these credits will appear in time to be applied to the March rent.  However, the timeframe from the claims administrator has shifted before and may shift again.

Needless to say, we, like you, are very disappointed in this delay.  We reached out to class counsel yesterday and impressed upon him the importance of having the credits properly calculated and applied as soon as possible.  We will keep you posted as we learn more.

GPTA

GPTA February 2021 Newsletter

Posted on by Honey Berk

Feb 2, 2021

Topics:

  • Class Action Update
  • GPTA Annual Meeting
  • Food Drive beginning Monday
  • Clarification for QRS residents switching apartments
  • Voter registration for NYC elections

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT UPDATE

Many of you have asked about the credits from the Class Action that were supposed to be applied by Feb. 2. Because of a glitch in calculation of the credits, however, the credits have been delayed by a week or so but are expected to appear on your rental accounts by Feb. 15. The glitch was not a Gateway error, but an error by the claims administrator. This error now appears to have been resolved.

GPTA will be following up if the credits do not appear by that time.

In our conversation with management, we advocated for late fees to be waived and management agreed to waive fees for Feb. 

Also, Gateway will not provide information to residents in reference to the Class Action settlement amounts and calculations. Such information should be provided by the resident attorneys.

GPTA ANNUAL MEETING

The Gateway Plaza Tenants Association will hold its annual meeting, by ZOOM, in March 2021 (date to be announced).

The meeting will feature updates from City and State elected officials, as well as the election of GPTA Board Members for the next term.

GPTA membership is open to all Gateway residents.

We will be providing information on the website in the weeks to come so you know how to join, participate in the meeting and vote for Board representatives.

(Perhaps you’d like to run for the Board?  If so, write to us at gatewayplazata@gmail.com. Think about it!)

GPTA/ FOOD BANK OF NY FOOD DRIVE

Help fight hunger in New York City by donating food to the Food Bank Of New York City. 

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Deposit food items listed below in the boxes provided by FBNY from Monday evening, Feb. 1 to morning of Feb. 10. Boxes are locate in the lobby of the 400/375 building.

Vegetables·       Canned Vegetables (low sodium preferred)
·       Tomato Sauce
·       Vegetable Soups (low sodium preferred)
·       Broth (low sodium preferred) 
Fruits·       Canned Fruits (in juice or light syrup)
·       Dried Fruits
·       100% Fruit Juices 
Proteins·       Beans – canned or dry
·       Peanut Butter
·       Canned Meat (chicken, beef, ham)
·       Canned Fish (tuna, salmon, sardines)
·       Canned Stews (chicken or beef) 
Grains·       Rice (white or brown, flavored)
·       Pasta/Noodles
·       Cold Cereal
·       Hot Cereal (grits, oatmeal, farina)
·       Flour/Cornmeal/Baking Mixes
·       Whole Grain Crackers
·       Couscous 
Dairy·       Dry Milk Packets
·       Shelf Stable Milk
·       Soy/Almond/Rice Milk 
Specialty Items·       Cereals
·       Nutrition Beverages (Boost, Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast)
·       Granola Bars 
Other Items·       Diapers
·       Feminine Products
·       Personal Care Items/Hygiene Items

RENT STABILIZED RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SWITCH APARTMENTS

GPTA has received inquiries about QRS residents switching apartments and whether the agreement covers the apartment or the tenant. The answer from management was as follows: “QRS Rights move with the resident if they transfer to another Gateway apartment at the end of a current lease term.”

NYC PRIMARY ELECTIONS COMING UP.  ARE YOU REGISTERED?

Primary Elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President and Council Members is Jun. 22.  If you are not registered, or want to declare or change party affiliation, here are dates to be aware of:

We send our sincere hopes that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.

GPTA

Rosalie, Robin, Jeff, Bruce, Karlene (Executive Board)

Audrey, Sarah, Howard, Honey, Pat, Steve, Larry, Denise

Class Action Settlement Info as of January 11, 2021

Posted on by Honey Berk


Latest news from Marina Towers states that the settlements will be posted in time to be applied to February rental invoices.  However, they state that there have been some discrepancies with the administrator overseeing the distributions, so it is possible that the settlements are posted to accounts in February but perhaps not in time to be reflected n the February invoices.  The amount per resident is not fixed and varies greatly based on a number of factors.