Open Letter to Residents from Leading New York Rental Building Owners and Managers; Institute Voluntary 90-Day Moratorium on Evictions in Response to Coronavirus

Owners representing more than 155,000 rental units in the City, and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association, pledged in an open letter to be published in several newspapers not to execute any warrant of eviction for the next 90 days in response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Below please find the text of the open letter to residents from William C. Rudin, REBNY Chairman, James Whelan, REBNY President, and leading New York Rental Building Owners and Managers:

“In crises, New Yorkers pull together. Now is a time for everyone to do their share.

No one knows how bad the impact of the COVID-19 virus will be. That’s why New Yorkers are taking extraordinary steps to slow the spread of the virus and protect our most vulnerable people.

We want to do our share too. As owners and managers of more than 155,000 rental apartments in the City, we will help our residents weather this crisis safely in their homes.

Starting immediately, we are voluntarily pledging that we will not execute any warrant of eviction for the next ninety days unless it is for criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardizes the life, health or safety of other residents. With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis.

With New York at risk, we must come together and protect our residents.  We can’t shake hands or hug each other right now. But we must all turn toward each other and help each other. Together, we will survive this crisis — and so will this wonderful City we all love.”

Pledge Signees:

A&E Real Estate, Douglas F. Eisenberg

Blackstone, Ken Caplan and Kathleen McCarthy

The Brodsky Organization, The Brodsky Family

Brookfield Property Group, Ric Clark

The Douglaston Companies, Jeff Levine

The Durst Organization, The Durst Family

Extell Development Company

Fetner Properties, Hal Fetner and Damon Pazzaglini

Fisher Brothers, Winston Fisher

Glenwood, The Litwin Family

Gotham Organization, Inc., David L. Picket and Joel I. Picket

Jack Resnick & Sons, Jonathan Resnick

Lalezarian Properties, Kevin Lalezarian

LeFrak, Richard S. LeFrak

Manhattan Skyline Company and Donald Zucker Company, Donald Zucker and Laurie Zucker

Milford Properties

The Moinian Group, Joseph Moinian

Muss Development, Jason Muss

Ogden CAP Properties

The Olnick Organization, Inc., Seth Schochet

Related Companies, Jeff T. Blau

Rockrose

Rose Associates, Inc., Amy Rose

Rudin Management Company, Bill Rudin and Eric Rudin

RXR Realty, Scott Rechler

Silverstein Properties, Larry Silverstein and Marty Burger

Taconic Partners, Paul Pariser and Charles Bendit

Tishman Speyer, Rob Speyer

Two Trees, Jed Walentas

Vornado Realty Trust, David R. Greenbaum

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ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City’s leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1896, REBNY represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, and salespeople; banks, financial service companies, utilities, attorneys, architects, and contractors; corporations, co-partnerships, and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. REBNY conducts research on various civic matters including tax policy, city planning and zoning, rental conditions, land use policy, building codes, and other city, state, and federal legislation. REBNY regularly publishes market data, policy reports, and broker surveys. In addition, REBNY provides for its members: informational, technical, and technological resources; networking and charitable service opportunities; qualifying and continuing education courses; professional education programs, seminars, and designations; career-changing awards; legal advice; and a wide range of additional member benefits. For more information, please visit www.REBNY.com.