Sweeping Reforms to Rent Overcharge Under New Rent Laws

New York Rent Laws
A note about the article below from the author: The radical rent overcharge overhauls are a game-changer. Now, for any interested buyer seeking to purchase a rent-regulated building, a herculean level of due diligence is mandated. 

First, the entire rental history for each rent-regulated unit within the building must be obtained from DHCR, which records date back to 1984. Once these records are procured, each legal annually registered rent for all regulated units must be scrutinized for increases. If there are any increases, they must be explained. This is particularly vexing for those increases related to Major Capital Improvements (MCI), which allowed landlords to hike the rent by 6% in NYC and 15% outside of NYC under the prior laws after improvements were made benefiting the tenants. For all increases, all of the backup (invoices from contractors, canceled checks for payments, etc.), must be furnished. If the supporting documentation cannot be produced, or, alternatively, if the documents are inadequate, the rent may be deemed “unreliable,” rendering the asset toxic. The level of toxicity of the asset is largely dependent upon the amount of the overcharge and the time during which the rent was overcharged. Therefore, it is highly advisable for landlords to forego the purchase of any such toxic asset, especially in buildings where there are many potential overcharge claims where the owner does not possess backup. 

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Increasing Revenues by Improving Fees and Services

Increasing Revenues by Improving Fees and Services

The ABA recently simplified its dues structure and added new membership benefits. The ABA expects these improvements to increase revenues and add 83,000 members over the next 4 years.  Lawyers can similarly raise revenues by offering alternative fees and providing exceptional services. Read on for tips to strengthen client relations and create opportunities for revenue growth. 

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Journaling to Enhance Productivity and Well-Being

Journaling to Enhance Productivity and Well-Being
Journaling to Enhance Productivity and Well-Being

Journaling has been used since ancient times to capture thoughts, keep reminders, and record events. An early example is a journal maintained by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurielius (161-180) who kept notes of his personal meditations. More recent journalizers include George Lucas, Nelson Mandela, and Ronald Reagan. Journaling is a low-cost method for preserving history, promoting productivity and improving health. Read on for tips about journaling and resources for starting a diary or journal. 

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Digitally Transforming Yourself and Your Firm

Digitally Transforming Yourself and Your Firm
Outdated technology can impede your law practice.

Over the past 40 years, there has been a Digital Transformation in the practice of law.  The Transformation was facilitated by several innovations — the introduction of the IBM PC in 1980, commercialization of the Internet around 1990, popularization of cloud computing in the 2000s, Apple’s launch of the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010, and the proliferation of wireless hotspots and mobile apps during the 2010s. The result has been legal technology that is more affordable and easier to adopt. Technology is increasingly used by lawyers to automate legal tasks, improve client relations, and manage law practices. Read on to learn about top technologies for lawyers and resources for implementing them at your firm.

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Digital Marketing Terms For 2020: Attorney Edition

Digital Marketing for Lawyers

By now, most attorneys and law offices are well aware of the need to market themselves online. But knowing you should do something and actually understanding the processes involved are two very different things. With more companies offering you marketing services on more platforms, how do you know what they’re selling is right for you, or that the strategies they are using are the most up to date? 

We’ve compiled a list of digital marketing terms every law firm or attorney needs to be familiar with for 2020 and beyond. This can help you be in a better position to make informed business decisions and outpace your competition.

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Julius®, a Web Portal That Offers Blumberg Registered Agent Customers an Advanced Standard of Service

NEW YORK, November 12, 2019 (Newswire.com) – Blumberg announces the launch of Julius©, a free web portal providing its registered agent (RA), annual report (AR) and corporate service customers an advanced standard of service. The Julius dashboard gives instant access to details of each entity’s data, upcoming deadlines & renewal dates, and access to process of service documents – with email notification of annual and biennial deadlines where applicable. Process will be sent by email, saving days in the time allowed for process to be answered. An important feature for professionals who are obligated to notify clients about process received.

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Business Development with Legal Checkups

Legal Checkups
Legal checkups alert clients to opportunities for avoiding problems with a lawyer’s help.

70 years ago, lawyer Louis Brown advocated for client checkups in his Manual on Preventive Law. Until his death in 1996 at the age of 86, Brown continued to write and lecture about the benefits of checkups and preventive law. He also originated the ABA’s Annual Client Counseling Competition, established the National Center for Preventive Law, and funded an Annual Preventive Law Prize Award. Periodic legal checkups can be rewarding to lawyers and their clients. This article provides tips and resources for conducting checkups for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

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Blumberg Announces Lease Updates for NY Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019

PRESS RELEASE UPDATED: OCT 22, 2019 07:45 EDT

NY Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019
NEW YORK, October 22, 2019 (Newswire.com) – In the long history of New York landlord-tenant relations, the government has rarely cast such an extensive reversal of course in housing policy as it does in the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA). The HSTPA stops in its tracks the gradual conversion of units to the free market. Landlords will now have access to Summary Proceedings only for base rent and evictions. Actions to recover fees and costs must be brought separately, likely resulting in protracted litigation in the trial courts. These are only a few of the many provisions of the HSTPA that will make it more difficult for landlords to maintain the viability of their properties. Compliance with the law will be challenging. Continue reading “Blumberg Announces Lease Updates for NY Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019”