Neighbors who live in a rent-regulated apartment have probably been closely following proposals in the State Legislature to extend and strengthen our rent laws, which expired on June 15.

Sen. Simcha Felder reports that his office has received calls from residents who are concerned that they could face large rent increases or be evicted from their homes if the rent regulations are not extended.

Rest assured, that is not the case. Tenants under a current lease will retain their protections even if the laws expire. A landlord has no legal right to move you out. Even if your lease is up for renewal, you still have certain legal safeguards to protect you, Sen. Felder says.

Landlords have been warned by State and City officials not to attempt to make any changes until new legislation protecting rent stabilization is passed.

Sen. Felder says there have been reports of landlords telling tenants they are going to have to move when the rent laws expire. That is blatantly false, and tenants are being advised not to leave their apartments, Sen. Felder says.

This scenario has happened in the past with no consequence. The rent laws expired for two days when they last came up for renewal in 2011. Soon after, the Legislature passed new regulations that retroactively covered any apartments that might have gone to market rate in the interim period.

If you are being harassed by your landlord, call 311 or contact MDC’s Bilingual Housing Counselor Nina Akopyan at 718-376-0999. In addition, you may reach Sen. Felder’s constituent services hotline at 718-253-2015.