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Slaven v. Syracuse University

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Feb 3, 1983
92 A.D.2d 462 (N.Y. App. Div. 1983)

Summary

In Slaven v Syracuse Univ. (92 A.D.2d 462 [1st Dept 1983]) and Museum of Modern Art v Kirk (111 Misc.2d 1074 [App Term, 1st Dept 1981]) it was held that tenants residing in buildings owned by certain nonprofit institutions are exempt from coverage under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA; L 1974, ch 576, § 4, as amended).

Summary of this case from Cooper Union v. N Y Univ

Opinion

February 3, 1983


Judgment of the Supreme Court, New York County (Ascione, J.), entered on June 28, 1982, declaring that the apartments rented by the plaintiffs from the defendant educational institution are exempt, by section 5 (subd a, par [6]) of the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 ([ETPA], L 1974, ch 576, § 4) from rent stabilization, unanimously affirmed, without costs. The plaintiffs are tenants of apartments in brownstone buildings on East 62nd Street, which buildings are owned by the defendant, Syracuse University, and have been so owned since 1966. The apartments rented by these plaintiffs became vacant between 1971 and 1974 and were, thus, "vacancy decontrolled." Section 5 (subd a, par [6]) of the ETPA provides as follows: "a. A declaration of emergency may be made pursuant to section three as to all or any class or classes of housing accommodations in a municipality, except * * * (6) housing accommodations owned or operated by a hospital, convent, monastery, asylum, public institution, or college or school dormitory or any institution operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes on a non-profit basis". The Court of Appeals, in Eaton v. New York City Conciliation Appeals Bd. ( 56 N.Y.2d 340), interpreted the exemption and held that the plain meaning of its words is expressly to exempt housing from rent stabilization based on the nature of the owner. Thus, it is clear that ownership by the university is sufficient to exempt the property. However, it should be emphasized that the apartments involved are narrowly limited only to those which were vacancy decontrolled between 1971 and 1974. Despite an able presentation by the amicus concerning the havoc that might be wrought to a community if mere ownership by one of the enumerated entities would eliminate rent stabilization, the matter has previously been determined. (See Matter of Cornerstone Baptist Church v. Rent Stabilization Assn., 55 A.D.2d 952; Museum of Modern Art v. Kirk, 111 Misc.2d 1074 [App Term].)

Concur — Kupferman, J.P., Sandler, Carro, Asch and Fein, JJ.


Summaries of

Slaven v. Syracuse University

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Feb 3, 1983
92 A.D.2d 462 (N.Y. App. Div. 1983)

In Slaven v Syracuse Univ. (92 A.D.2d 462 [1st Dept 1983]) and Museum of Modern Art v Kirk (111 Misc.2d 1074 [App Term, 1st Dept 1981]) it was held that tenants residing in buildings owned by certain nonprofit institutions are exempt from coverage under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA; L 1974, ch 576, § 4, as amended).

Summary of this case from Cooper Union v. N Y Univ
Case details for

Slaven v. Syracuse University

Case Details

Full title:SEYMOUR SLAVEN et al., Appellants, v. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, Respondent

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department

Date published: Feb 3, 1983

Citations

92 A.D.2d 462 (N.Y. App. Div. 1983)

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