Can my fiance move into my apartment with me, even though I am the only tenant listed?

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Can my fiance move into my apartment with me, even though I am the only tenant listed?

I live in a studio. Landlord does not allow roomshares. My fiance and I will be getting married soon.

Asked on July 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

Mark Siegel / Law Office of Mark A. Siegel

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Your right to share your apartment with another person is governed by NY Real Property Law §235-f, which makes certain restrictions on occupancy unlawful. This law provides that:

"... 2.  It shall be unlawful for a landlord to restrict occupancy of residential premises, by express lease terms or otherwise, to a tenant or tenants or to such tenants and immediate family. Any such restriction in a lease or rental agreement entered into or renewed before or after the effective date of this section shall be unenforceable as against public policy.
3. Any lease or rental agreement for residential premises entered into by one tenant shall be construed to permit occupancy by the tenant, immediate family of the tenant, one additional occupant, and dependent children of the occupant provided that the tenant or the tenant's spouse occupies the premises as his primary residence..."

Your fiancee is considered an additional occupant. As long as her additional occupancy does not constitute a violation of federal, state or local  laws, regulations, ordinances or codes, then the landlord cannot restrict your right to occupy the apartment with her. This law does require you, as the tenant, to occupy the apartment as your primary residence.

§235-f (5) requires the tenant "...to inform the landlord of the name of any occupant within thirty days following  the commencement of occupancy by such person or within thirty days following a request by the landlord."

Lastly, §235-f (9) does give you specific rights should the landlord violate this law:

"Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section may maintain an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for:
    (a) an injunction to enjoin and restrain such unlawful practice;
    (b) actual damages sustained as a result of such unlawful practice; and
    (c) court costs."


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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