NYC Administrative Code

§ 22-1005 — Personal liability provisions in commercial leases.

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What is NYC AC § 22-1005?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the conditions under which personal liability provisions in commercial leases are unenforceable against individuals not listed as tenants. The statute applies specifically to situations where the tenant faced operational restrictions due to executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applies to landlords and tenants in commercial real estate agreements.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 22-1005 Personal liability provisions in commercial leases.

AC § 22-1005

A provision in a commercial lease or other rental agreement involving real property located within the city, or relating to such a lease or other rental agreement, that provides for one or more natural persons who are not the tenant under such agreement to become, upon the occurrence of a default or other event, wholly or partially personally liable for payment of rent, utility expenses or taxes owed by the tenant under such agreement, or fees and charges relating to routine building maintenance owed by the tenant under such agreement, shall not be enforceable against such natural persons if the conditions of paragraph 1 and 2 are satisfied: 1. The tenant satisfies the conditions of subparagraph (a), (b) or (c): (a) The tenant was required to cease serving patrons food or beverage for on-premises consumption or to cease operation under executive order number 202.3 issued by the governor on March 16, 2020; (b) The tenant was a non-essential retail establishment subject to in-person limitations under guidance issued by the New York state department of economic development pursuant to executive order number 202.6 issued by the governor on March 18, 2020; or (c) The tenant was required to close to members of the public under executive order number 202.7 issued by the governor on March 19, 2020.

2.The default or other event causing such natural persons to become wholly or partially personally liable for such obligation occurred between March 7, 2020 and June 30, 2021, inclusive. (L.L. 2020/055, 5/26/2020, eff. 5/26/2020; Am. L.L. 2020/098, 9/28/2020, eff. 9/28/2020; Am. L.L. 2021/050, 4/25/2021, retro. eff. 3/31/2021) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2020/098 and L.L. 2021/050.

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