Written By Stefany Perez, HUD Certified Housing Counselor at The Waterfront Project
We were contacted by a client after their landlord issued a notice stating that the property was being retired from residential use and that all tenants needed to move within 3 months. The landlord stated the property had too many violations and they needed to close the building to repair it. I advised the tenant to speak to with City Hall to confirm if, in fact, the building had violations. The City advised that the property had no violations.
Simultaneously, I reviewed the notice (with our awesome legal team) and determined that it was not proper due to the timeframe provided. If a landlord intends to remove a property from residential use, they must give an 18-month notice before filing for eviction. With this in mind, we stepped in to help the client assert their rights and explore his options.
I assisted the client by drafting letters and supporting them through negotiations with the landlord. The building had three other tenants who didn’t feel comfortable seeking assistance on their own; by working with our client, we were also able to help empower and support the remaining tenants as well.
Through our assistance, the tenants ultimately secured:
- Reasonable time to move.
- $10,000 in relocation funds.
- Three months of free rent.
- The full return of their security deposits.
Turns out the landlord is a big construction company, who wants to demolish this property to build new luxury apartments.
What began as an abrupt and unfair displacement attempt ended in a meaningful victory for the residents. Once we uncovered that the landlord was actually a major construction company planning to demolish the building for new luxury development, our advocacy ensured the tenants were not pushed out quietly or empty-handed.
This outcome reflects the power of standing up for renters’ rights—and the impact The Waterfront Project’s team has in protecting long-term community members from being erased by unchecked development. Their win is not just financial relief; it’s a reminder that tenants deserve dignity, transparency, and a fair process.