NYC Evictions Surge in 2025 - Impacts on Landlords and Tenants
In recent years, the problem of increased evictions has started to grab the attention of news outlets, especially in New York. The previous peak occurred in 2018, when average monthly evictions reached about 1,666 (Davis, 2025). This slowed down during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and is now steadily rising toward the earlier highs. This matter is something that both landlords and tenants need to know about, as this could affect matters such as housing security, financial stress, and the various legal complexities both parties have to deal with.
Understanding the eviction process is important for both landlords and tenants. For tenants, knowing the eviction process provides clarity on their rights and obligations under the law. For landlords, it ensures they can protect their property while maintaining safe and stable housing. Rental properties and lease agreements are governed by landlord-tenant laws at both state and local levels. In New York, for instance, landlords must show “good cause” before removing tenants. These good causes may include non-payment of rent, property damages, illegal activities, or any form of violation of their contract of lease (Investopedia, 2025).
You might wonder why New York is experiencing a surge in monthly evictions. According to Brand (2025), one factor is the lifting of eviction freezes during the pandemic. These moratoriums helped keep tenants in their homes but also left many landlords struggling to cover expenses with limited rental income. As courts reopened and moratoriums ended, a backlog of cases resurfaced, further straining housing courts already dealing with congestion from the pandemic.
Rising evictions carry risks for both sides. On the tenants side, displacement may create financial strain and uncertainty. On the landlords side of things, repeated non-payment and delayed court processes can make it harder to maintain properties, pay mortgages, or keep up with taxes and repairs. In extreme cases, strained landlord-tenant relationships can also affect neighborhood stability. Research done by Weaver (2023) points out that large numbers of evictions may destabilize communities, reduce cooperation, and place pressure on public safety systems.
Why do landlords pursue eviction? For most landlords, eviction is not the first choice but a last resort. Rental housing is a business, and when tenants fail to pay rent, landlords face revenue losses that directly impact building operations. As Ann Korchak of the “Small PropertyOwners in New York” explains: “Everyone wants to live harmoniously, but we need revenue to run the properties.”
In addition to this, Landlords specifically have no choice but to evict tenants who are considered delinquent or squatting on apartments and not paying landlords' right, or are caught engaging in unlawful subletting, which in most contract agreements is viewed as a breach of contract.
Mistakes, however, can occur on both sides. Evictions can be lawful or unlawful, and errors in the process often lead to disputes:
For the Landlords:
Non-issuance of Formal Notices
Self-Executing Evictions (Landlords taking matters into their own hands)
Improper Documentation
Incorrect Filing in Court
Bad Faith (Retaliatory) Eviction
Ignoring Tenant Defenses
For the Tenants:
Ignoring Formal Notices
Lack of Proper Communication with the Landlord
Not fully understanding their legal rights and responsibilities
Poor record keeping
Moving out before the conclusion of legal proceedings
Relying on Informal Advice or Inaccurate Advice
At the end of the day, both the landlord and the tenant involved benefit from resolving disputes fairly and lawfully. Whether you’re a tenant protecting your rights or a landlord seeking legal support, understanding the eviction process in New York is the first step toward achieving a fair and effective resolution.
At Scolnick Law, our experienced team is here to support both landlords and tenants in navigating complex real estate matters. Contact us today at (718) 554-6445 to schedule your consultation.
Resources:
https://gothamist.com/news/monthly-evictions-in-new-york-city-reach-highest-rate-since-2018
https://housingjusticeforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/No-Shelter-No-Safety-Collaborative-Eviction-Brief.pdf
https://nypost.com/2025/08/25/real-estate/monthly-evictions-in-nyc-are-at-their-highest-rate-in-years/
