X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

  Petitioner appeals from a final judgment of the Civil Court of the City of New York, New York County (Jean T. Schneider, J.), entered May 8, 2018, after a nonjury trial, which dismissed the petition in a holdover summary proceeding. PER CURIAM Final judgment (Jean Schneider, J.), entered May 8, 2018, affirmed, with $25 costs. The trial court’s determination that respondent Ramon Fena, the son-in-law of the deceased rent stabilized tenant, met his affirmative obligation to establish succession rights to the subject rent stabilized apartment premises (see Rent Stabilization Code [9 NYCRR] §2523.5[b][1], [e][3]) represents a fair interpretation of the evidence, and is not disturbed (see WSC Riverside Dr. Owners LLC v. Williams, 125 AD3d 458, 459 [2015], lv dismissed 25 NY3d 1221 [2015]; 318 E. 93 v. Ward, 276 AD2d 277 [2000]). The trial court was warranted in accepting the “credible” testimony of respondent and his witnesses, including the building’s former superintendent, that respondent sold his house in Queens and primarily resided with the record tenant at the subject apartment from 2005 until her death in 2014, including the requisite two-year period immediately prior to tenant’s death (see 300 E. 34th St. Co. v. Habeeb, 248 AD2d 50, 56 [1997]). That certain documentation listed respondent’s address as apartment “4″ rather than the subject apartment “3″ is not dispositive (see 23 Jones St. Assoc. v. Keebler-Beretta, 284 AD2d 109 [2001]), since the trial court, which was in the best position to assess the credibility of witnesses, credited respondent’s explanation for the alleged discrepancy, i.e., that respondent temporarily relocated to the adjacent apartment occupied by other family members when the subject apartment was undergoing building-wide renovations financed by the City of New York (see Second 82nd Corp. v. Veiders, 146 AD3d 696 [2017]; Zevrone Realty Corp. v. Irving, 63 Misc 3d 141[A], 2019 NY Slip Op 50587[U][App Term, 1st Dept 2019]). Nor does the trial court’s erroneous reliance on certain documentary evidence in the form of Bank of America statements that were contained in the case file, but never marked as an exhibit or presented to the trial court (see Dani Michaels, Inc. v. Design 2000, N.Y., 4 AD3d 193 [2004]), alter our conclusion, since we have the power and the duty to review the record and render the verdict that the trial court should have pronounced (see Pordy v. Scot Serv. Co., 15 AD2d 911 [1962]). We have considered petitioner’s remaining contention and find it unavailing. THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Shipman is seeking an associate to join our Labor & Employment practice in our Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford office. Candidates shou...


Apply Now ›

Evergreen Trading is a media investment firm headquartered in NYC. We help brands achieve their goals by leveraging their unwanted assets to...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›