Is My Landlord Actually a "Small Landlord" Exempt From Good Cause Eviction?

If they own multiple buildings. then probably not.

LLCs are not automatically "Small Landlords." To claim the exemption from Good Cause Eviction, the Beneficial Owner (the human behind the LLC) must own no more than 10 units total in New York State.

The "LLC Shell Game" (The Trick)

• The Myth: "My building is owned by '123 Main St LLC' which only owns 6 units, so Good Cause Eviction doesn't apply, even thought the owners of '123 Main St LLC' are also the owners of '124 Main St LLC' and '125 Main St LLC'."

• Why It’s Wrong: This ignores the Attribution Rule.

The Current Law (RPL § 211)

• The Statute: Real Property Law § 211(3) defines a "Small Landlord" based on Beneficial Ownership and Indirect Interest.

• The Rule: If one person owns 10% of 20 different LLCs, they are a beneficial owner of all those units. If the total exceeds 10, none of their buildings are exempt.

How to Verify (RPL § 231-c)

• The Tool: Landlords are legally required to provide the "Good Cause Eviction Law Notice" (RPL § 231-c) with every lease offer.

• The Trap: If a landlord claims the exemption, they must be prepared to disclose the names of all natural persons with an ownership interest.

🚨 Take Action: Verify Before You Move

Don't let a landlord hide behind a corporate shell.

• Demand the Form: Ask your landlord for the RPL § 231-c Good Cause Eviction Law Notice. If they refuse to provide it, they may be violating the law.

• Call Jay Browne: If you suspect your landlord is hiding other properties, contact us. We can perform a beneficial ownership search to pierce the LLC veil and secure your renewal rights, call us at 347.669.3256 right now.