How a Brooklyn Landlord Recovered Over $200,000 in Unpaid Rent
- Mitchell Hecht
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Demonstrate that service of process was properly completed
Submit proof of the amount owed (rent arrears, supporting lease documentation)
File a motion for default judgment with the court
Submit an affirmation of attorney's fees where applicable
In this matter, Hecht Law Group filed a Motion for Default Judgment on February 26, 2024. The Court granted the motion on June 25, 2024, directing counsel to submit an affirmation of attorney's fees. The judgment was entered by the Kings County Clerk on August 30, 2024.
The Judgment: Breaking Down the Numbers
The court entered judgment in favor of our client in the following amounts:
Rent Arrears: $191,276.44
Statutory Interest at 9% per annum from January 2, 2024: $11,428.78
Court Costs and Disbursements: $395.00
Total Judgment: $203,100.44
Under New York law, judgments accrue interest at the statutory rate of 9% per annum from the date specified in the judgment until the amount is fully satisfied. This means the longer a judgment goes unpaid, the more the tenant owes — providing continued leverage for collection.
What This Means for New York Landlords
This result illustrates several important points for property owners and managers dealing with non-paying tenants:
Act early. Rent arrears compound over time. The sooner legal action is initiated, the stronger your position — and the less you are owed going forward before resolution.
Proper service matters. A default judgment is only valid if the defendant was correctly served. Procedural errors at the service stage can unwind an otherwise strong case. Working with experienced real estate counsel ensures this foundational step is handled correctly.
Tenants who ignore lawsuits don't make the debt disappear. Some tenants believe that not responding will make a case go away. In reality, failing to answer a complaint in New York results in the landlord obtaining a judgment by default — often for the full amount sought.
A judgment is a tool, not just a piece of paper. Once a money judgment is entered, a landlord can pursue collection through wage garnishment, bank account restraint (via information subpoenas), or liens against the tenant's property. The judgment also accrues interest until paid.
When Should a Landlord Consider Legal Action?
Not every non-payment situation requires immediate litigation, but certain circumstances call for prompt legal intervention:
The tenant has stopped communicating or vacated without notice
Arrears have accumulated beyond one or two months' rent
The tenant has made partial payments with no credible plan to cure
The tenant has breached other material lease terms in addition to non-payment
Informal demand letters have been ignored
If you are a landlord or property manager in Nassau County, Brooklyn, Queens, or anywhere in the NYC metro area dealing with a defaulting tenant, understanding your legal options early can make the difference between recovering what you're owed and absorbing a significant loss.
How Hecht Law Group Can Help
Hecht Law Group represents landlords, property owners, and property managers in lease enforcement, rent recovery, and eviction proceedings throughout New York. We understand that your time and your assets matter — our approach is direct, efficient, and focused on getting results without unnecessary delay.
If you are dealing with a non-paying tenant or need guidance on your rights as a landlord in New York, get in touch for a consultation.
Mitchell Hecht, Esq. Hecht Law Group, PLLC , 380 Hempstead Ave, Suite 1,West Hempstead, NY 11552. (516) 755-7860. www.hechtlawgroup.com
Mitchell Hecht is a commercial real estate attorney licensed in New York, representing landlords, tenants, investors, and business owners in Nassau County and the NYC metro area.
Attorney Advertising. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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