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Several landlords are likely to file damage suits against New York City in the wake of last week's court decision striking down a city law that requires owners of single-room-occupancy hotels to rehabilitate them.
Attorneys for the landlords claim that the state Supreme Court ruling vindicates private property rights. But tenant and community community groups fear the ruling could provoke harassment of S.R.O. residents and increase the city's homeless population.
The Nov. 23 ruling by Justice David B. Saxe struck down a law passed earlier this year stating that S.R.O. hotels could only be rehabilitated for low-income residents. It also overturned a provision that said owners could pay the city $45,000 for each unit converted for other use.
Although the justice in Manhattan issued his opinion last Monday, by late in the week he had yet to follow it up with an official court order.
That was one reason why those on both sides of the issue say it is unlikely wrecking crews will begin to raze vacant hotels by moonlight.
Both sides also stress that demolitions are illegal without permits.
Once the court order is signed,...