Over the course of the last 16 months, both landlords and tenants have seen a dramatic shift to the rules and regulations governing, among other things, the commencement of eviction proceedings throughout New York State. Less than a year after extraordinary modifications to the statutes governing landlord-tenant relations, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the government to impose additional limitations on the commencement and prosecution of eviction proceedings.

While there have been innumerable articles and alerts issued across the industry, by this article we attempt to organize the most recent pandemic-related governmental and administrative orders issued limiting eviction proceedings and their impact on both commercial and residential proceedings in New York City, including limitations placed on personal guarantors.

Orders Summarized

To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the deaths of 224,000 Americans, including more than 23,000 residents of the New York City Metro Area. In an effort to decelerate the spread of the virus, beginning in March 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio issued emergency orders placing strict limitations on non-essential businesses and gatherings. In turn, recognizing that the government-ordered shutdown would lead to significant economic distress for many citizens and businesses, the Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts issued various Administrative Orders establishing procedures and protocols designed to temporarily stay residential and commercial eviction matters before New York State Courts.