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The Upheaval in New York’s Rental Market The Upheaval in New York’s Rental Market
(about 2 months later)
New York renters are known to be a tough bunch, but it has never been harder to be a renter in the city.New York renters are known to be a tough bunch, but it has never been harder to be a renter in the city.
Along with so many aspects of daily life, the coronavirus has thrown the living situations of countless renters, especially those who have roommates and share apartments, into upheaval. Many renters, of course, are unable to work because of the lockdown and are struggling to pay the rent.Along with so many aspects of daily life, the coronavirus has thrown the living situations of countless renters, especially those who have roommates and share apartments, into upheaval. Many renters, of course, are unable to work because of the lockdown and are struggling to pay the rent.
At the same time, as the city shut down, many New Yorkers had to cancel or delay moving plans, many roommates vanished overnight to shelter in place elsewhere, and the hardest thing to find right now — aside from hand sanitizer — is a subletter. Some tenants have begged their landlords to break their leases early while others are pleading for month-to-month extensions until the city’s stay-at-home order lifts. And the rental market overall has largely shut down.At the same time, as the city shut down, many New Yorkers had to cancel or delay moving plans, many roommates vanished overnight to shelter in place elsewhere, and the hardest thing to find right now — aside from hand sanitizer — is a subletter. Some tenants have begged their landlords to break their leases early while others are pleading for month-to-month extensions until the city’s stay-at-home order lifts. And the rental market overall has largely shut down.
“If no one needs to move right now, they’re not looking to,” said Jessica Swersey, a real estate agent at Warburg Realty.“If no one needs to move right now, they’re not looking to,” said Jessica Swersey, a real estate agent at Warburg Realty.
Even signed leases have fallen through, Ms. Swersey said. She was working with one couple that was trading up from a cramped studio but could no longer afford it after a layoff. Another listing is in limbo after the building — a condo — banned all move-outs and move-ins. The departing tenants had already fled the city at that point, leaving the apartment empty of people, but not their belongings.Even signed leases have fallen through, Ms. Swersey said. She was working with one couple that was trading up from a cramped studio but could no longer afford it after a layoff. Another listing is in limbo after the building — a condo — banned all move-outs and move-ins. The departing tenants had already fled the city at that point, leaving the apartment empty of people, but not their belongings.
“The outgoing tenant’s stuff is hostage and the incoming tenant has nowhere to go,” said Ms. Swersey. “It’s a mess in every way.”“The outgoing tenant’s stuff is hostage and the incoming tenant has nowhere to go,” said Ms. Swersey. “It’s a mess in every way.”
For the many New Yorkers with roommates, the virus has left an even bigger mess: empty rooms and no one to fill them. Laticia Brown, a 35-year-old social worker with a three-bedroom apartment in Bushwick, said her two roommates left in the last weeks of March to go live with their parents in other states after their dog-walking and stand-up comedy gigs dried up.For the many New Yorkers with roommates, the virus has left an even bigger mess: empty rooms and no one to fill them. Laticia Brown, a 35-year-old social worker with a three-bedroom apartment in Bushwick, said her two roommates left in the last weeks of March to go live with their parents in other states after their dog-walking and stand-up comedy gigs dried up.
“We’re on the lease together, but they don’t know if they can pay or if they’re even coming back,” said Ms. Brown, who was laid off from her job with two weeks severance pay and was only able to cover her own $1,100 share of the rent for April, not the full $2,750. Her roommates did not pay their shares.“We’re on the lease together, but they don’t know if they can pay or if they’re even coming back,” said Ms. Brown, who was laid off from her job with two weeks severance pay and was only able to cover her own $1,100 share of the rent for April, not the full $2,750. Her roommates did not pay their shares.
“It’s hard to sublet right now — no one wants to be moving,” said Ms. Brown, who had hoped to work out an agreement with the landlord to pay only her portion of the rent or, failing that, to break the lease and move back to California. Neither looks likely right now.“It’s hard to sublet right now — no one wants to be moving,” said Ms. Brown, who had hoped to work out an agreement with the landlord to pay only her portion of the rent or, failing that, to break the lease and move back to California. Neither looks likely right now.
“I voiced my concerns to the management and they basically said, ‘You signed a legally binding document, you have to pay,’ ” she said. “I reminded them of the 90-day eviction moratorium, but I don’t really like that, either. If I can’t pay the full rent, will it go on my credit? There’s a lot of ambiguity.”“I voiced my concerns to the management and they basically said, ‘You signed a legally binding document, you have to pay,’ ” she said. “I reminded them of the 90-day eviction moratorium, but I don’t really like that, either. If I can’t pay the full rent, will it go on my credit? There’s a lot of ambiguity.”
It’s too soon to know how many New Yorkers are unable to pay their April rent, as many landlords don’t consider rent late until after April 10. The Community Housing Improvement Program, which represents the owners and operators of more than 400,000 units of rent-stabilized apartments, said that early indications suggested about 10 percent of residential tenants would not pay their rent in April. A survey conducted by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy between March 27 and 29 found, however, that 27 percent of New York renters said they would not be able to pay rent on April 1.It’s too soon to know how many New Yorkers are unable to pay their April rent, as many landlords don’t consider rent late until after April 10. The Community Housing Improvement Program, which represents the owners and operators of more than 400,000 units of rent-stabilized apartments, said that early indications suggested about 10 percent of residential tenants would not pay their rent in April. A survey conducted by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy between March 27 and 29 found, however, that 27 percent of New York renters said they would not be able to pay rent on April 1.
Nationally, the National Multifamily Housing Council, a trade group for big landlords, tracked rent payments across some 13.4 million units and found that through the first five days of April, 31 percent of tenants had so far failed to pay their rent, compared with 18 percent in the same period a year ago.Nationally, the National Multifamily Housing Council, a trade group for big landlords, tracked rent payments across some 13.4 million units and found that through the first five days of April, 31 percent of tenants had so far failed to pay their rent, compared with 18 percent in the same period a year ago.
Some New York renters said that while their departing roommates hadn’t left them in the lurch rent-wise, they were facing leases that would expire in a month or two and were caught between not wanting to move in the midst of an outbreak and not being able to cover rent alone. As one woman whose lease is up on April 30 put it, “moving in general is stressful, but moving during a pandemic?”Some New York renters said that while their departing roommates hadn’t left them in the lurch rent-wise, they were facing leases that would expire in a month or two and were caught between not wanting to move in the midst of an outbreak and not being able to cover rent alone. As one woman whose lease is up on April 30 put it, “moving in general is stressful, but moving during a pandemic?”
Even though some apartment buildings have banned move-ins and move-outs, moving companies have nonetheless remained busy. Mark Ehrhardt, the founder of the Brooklyn-based moving company Movers, Not Shakers!, said that the last weeks of March were busy as renters rushed to push up their moves, fearing that movers would be declared nonessential (they weren’t).Even though some apartment buildings have banned move-ins and move-outs, moving companies have nonetheless remained busy. Mark Ehrhardt, the founder of the Brooklyn-based moving company Movers, Not Shakers!, said that the last weeks of March were busy as renters rushed to push up their moves, fearing that movers would be declared nonessential (they weren’t).
“We have seen things we didn’t see in the blackout of 2002, the housing crisis of ’08, or Superstorm Sandy in 2012,” said Mr. Ehrhardt, who is taking extra precautions to disinfect the office, stagger crews and make sure everyone wears gloves and — as long as he can continue to find them — masks. The reusable bins the company normally supplies to clients have been replaced by cardboard boxes.“We have seen things we didn’t see in the blackout of 2002, the housing crisis of ’08, or Superstorm Sandy in 2012,” said Mr. Ehrhardt, who is taking extra precautions to disinfect the office, stagger crews and make sure everyone wears gloves and — as long as he can continue to find them — masks. The reusable bins the company normally supplies to clients have been replaced by cardboard boxes.
The one silver lining? Moves are going much faster than usual because the stair and lobby traffic that normally slows things down has all vanished. “People are really reluctant to leave their apartments right now,” Mr. Ehrhardt said.The one silver lining? Moves are going much faster than usual because the stair and lobby traffic that normally slows things down has all vanished. “People are really reluctant to leave their apartments right now,” Mr. Ehrhardt said.
Some renters who were in the midst of moving to a new place while subletting their old space have suddenly found themselves on the hook for two apartments.Some renters who were in the midst of moving to a new place while subletting their old space have suddenly found themselves on the hook for two apartments.
Elizabeth Cregan, a 22-year-old assistant media planner, had lined up someone to sublet her $1,600 room in an apartment on the Lower East Side so she could move to a larger room for only $1,000 in a three-bedroom in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. But when coronavirus hit New York, the subletter pulled out.Elizabeth Cregan, a 22-year-old assistant media planner, had lined up someone to sublet her $1,600 room in an apartment on the Lower East Side so she could move to a larger room for only $1,000 in a three-bedroom in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. But when coronavirus hit New York, the subletter pulled out.
“Of course I don’t blame him for not signing, but now I’m on the hook for two leases,” said Ms. Cregan, who is currently occupying neither apartment, having fled to her parents’ house in Houston. The irony is not lost on her that she decided to move to save money. “My thinking was, ‘Oh this is so financially responsible.’ ”“Of course I don’t blame him for not signing, but now I’m on the hook for two leases,” said Ms. Cregan, who is currently occupying neither apartment, having fled to her parents’ house in Houston. The irony is not lost on her that she decided to move to save money. “My thinking was, ‘Oh this is so financially responsible.’ ”
Angela Orthmeyer, a 37-year-old data analyst, found herself in a similar situation when she moved out of a two-bedroom apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant to a one-bedroom in the South Slope at the end of March. She and her roommate had found people to sublet the two-bedroom and her roommate had already moved out to live with her boyfriend. But their subletters, who were moving from out-of-state, backed out in mid-March.Angela Orthmeyer, a 37-year-old data analyst, found herself in a similar situation when she moved out of a two-bedroom apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant to a one-bedroom in the South Slope at the end of March. She and her roommate had found people to sublet the two-bedroom and her roommate had already moved out to live with her boyfriend. But their subletters, who were moving from out-of-state, backed out in mid-March.
Ms. Orthmeyer decided to move anyway, in part because the new apartment had a terrace. “And, to be honest, I really wanted the outdoor space right now,” she said.Ms. Orthmeyer decided to move anyway, in part because the new apartment had a terrace. “And, to be honest, I really wanted the outdoor space right now,” she said.
Moving was something of a strange experience, though, especially figuring out how to navigate in tight spaces with the movers. “We tried to keep our distance — whenever we passed one another, they’d turn their backs,” she said. And, after weeks of being hypervigilant about contamination, she found herself repeatedly pushing hair out of her face with the rubber gloves she’d been wearing all day. As for the beat-up furniture she’d planned to leave behind for the subletters, it ended up coming with her. She’d intended to replace it with new items and Craigslist finds, “but that totally shifted when it became clear it was going to be hard to shop and no one would want my old furniture.”Moving was something of a strange experience, though, especially figuring out how to navigate in tight spaces with the movers. “We tried to keep our distance — whenever we passed one another, they’d turn their backs,” she said. And, after weeks of being hypervigilant about contamination, she found herself repeatedly pushing hair out of her face with the rubber gloves she’d been wearing all day. As for the beat-up furniture she’d planned to leave behind for the subletters, it ended up coming with her. She’d intended to replace it with new items and Craigslist finds, “but that totally shifted when it became clear it was going to be hard to shop and no one would want my old furniture.”
Besides, she’s not sure how long she might be paying for two apartments. When she and her roommate initially posted the apartment on Listings Project in late February, they got 54 responses. When they posted it in late March, a few responses trickled in. One set of potential renters took a video tour, then stopped responding to them.Besides, she’s not sure how long she might be paying for two apartments. When she and her roommate initially posted the apartment on Listings Project in late February, they got 54 responses. When they posted it in late March, a few responses trickled in. One set of potential renters took a video tour, then stopped responding to them.
Ward Roberts, a 33-year-old photographer, who shares a $3,300-a-month, two-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg with his brother, has had trouble subletting the apartment even after discounting the rent to $2,800. He and his brother were visiting their mother in Australia when the coronavirus shut down borders. They initially tried unsuccessfully renting the rooms separately, but the discounted rent on the entire apartment has backfired somewhat — he’s been getting a lot of emails accusing him of being a scammer.Ward Roberts, a 33-year-old photographer, who shares a $3,300-a-month, two-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg with his brother, has had trouble subletting the apartment even after discounting the rent to $2,800. He and his brother were visiting their mother in Australia when the coronavirus shut down borders. They initially tried unsuccessfully renting the rooms separately, but the discounted rent on the entire apartment has backfired somewhat — he’s been getting a lot of emails accusing him of being a scammer.
“I’ve struggled even to get people in to see the space. So many have canceled,” he said. “Whenever someone posts that they’re looking for a room on Gypsy Housing” — a Facebook group — “they’re met with 30 comments in a few minutes: ‘I have a room. I have a room.’ ”“I’ve struggled even to get people in to see the space. So many have canceled,” he said. “Whenever someone posts that they’re looking for a room on Gypsy Housing” — a Facebook group — “they’re met with 30 comments in a few minutes: ‘I have a room. I have a room.’ ”
But even though finding a subletter may be near-impossible right now, there are still people who need to move right now, whether they want to or not.But even though finding a subletter may be near-impossible right now, there are still people who need to move right now, whether they want to or not.
Updated May 28, 2020
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Stephanie Diamond, the founder of Listings Project, a weekly newsletter for real estate and other opportunities, said that there have been a higher number of rooms and apartments available for sublet in recent weeks, as well as people looking for temporary housing who could become subletters. While a lot of people might be hesitant to move in with strangers right now, many renters don’t have a choice because they can’t afford to live alone, and the number of people in that situation seems to have risen now that many people have been laid off or seen their freelance income disappear.Stephanie Diamond, the founder of Listings Project, a weekly newsletter for real estate and other opportunities, said that there have been a higher number of rooms and apartments available for sublet in recent weeks, as well as people looking for temporary housing who could become subletters. While a lot of people might be hesitant to move in with strangers right now, many renters don’t have a choice because they can’t afford to live alone, and the number of people in that situation seems to have risen now that many people have been laid off or seen their freelance income disappear.
“A lot of listers are speaking about the situation directly,” she added. “People are willing to negotiate rent and the questions they’re asking potential roommates have changed from ‘Do you bring the party home?’ to ‘How often do you wash your hands?’ ”“A lot of listers are speaking about the situation directly,” she added. “People are willing to negotiate rent and the questions they’re asking potential roommates have changed from ‘Do you bring the party home?’ to ‘How often do you wash your hands?’ ”
But as the situation in New York worsens, many renters are opting to leave rooms empty — at least for the next month — if there’s any way they can manage it financially. Charlotte Dillon, a 27-year-old who works in marketing and communications for a tech company, shares a three-bedroom apartment in Prospect Lefferts Gardens with her sister. The other room was, until the middle of last month, occupied by a dancer from San Francisco who had been in the city for a performance and residency, but both were canceled by the coronavirus.But as the situation in New York worsens, many renters are opting to leave rooms empty — at least for the next month — if there’s any way they can manage it financially. Charlotte Dillon, a 27-year-old who works in marketing and communications for a tech company, shares a three-bedroom apartment in Prospect Lefferts Gardens with her sister. The other room was, until the middle of last month, occupied by a dancer from San Francisco who had been in the city for a performance and residency, but both were canceled by the coronavirus.
“She was a really good roommate, but she disappeared off the face of the earth when coronavirus hit,” said Ms. Dillon. “She left her key, she left without saying goodbye.”“She was a really good roommate, but she disappeared off the face of the earth when coronavirus hit,” said Ms. Dillon. “She left her key, she left without saying goodbye.”
At first, the sisters scrambled to find a subletter, showing the apartment on video chat and quizzing people about their health and safety protocols, but then they had second thoughts.At first, the sisters scrambled to find a subletter, showing the apartment on video chat and quizzing people about their health and safety protocols, but then they had second thoughts.
“We’re being very careful and we aren’t showing any signs, but we’ve all been told to operate under the assumption we have it. And this is New York, so we still go to the laundromat and the grocery store,” she said. “We believe it’s unsafe — and potentially unethical — to bring someone new into our household right now.”“We’re being very careful and we aren’t showing any signs, but we’ve all been told to operate under the assumption we have it. And this is New York, so we still go to the laundromat and the grocery store,” she said. “We believe it’s unsafe — and potentially unethical — to bring someone new into our household right now.”
But if they can’t find a renter by May 1, they’ll either need to work out a partial rent agreement with the landlord or break the lease. Ms. Dillon said she had considered keeping the subletter’s security deposit, which would buy them more time to figure things out — she failed to give 30-days notice before leaving, so it would be justified­ — “but I figure she needs the money more than my landlord right now,” said Ms. Dillon.But if they can’t find a renter by May 1, they’ll either need to work out a partial rent agreement with the landlord or break the lease. Ms. Dillon said she had considered keeping the subletter’s security deposit, which would buy them more time to figure things out — she failed to give 30-days notice before leaving, so it would be justified­ — “but I figure she needs the money more than my landlord right now,” said Ms. Dillon.
At the moment, the best way to approach things seems to be with as much flexibility as possible. And hope that landlords and other renters are willing to do the same.At the moment, the best way to approach things seems to be with as much flexibility as possible. And hope that landlords and other renters are willing to do the same.
Just a few weeks ago, Harold McGovern, a 32-year-old bartender, had been looking forward to moving into a $1,900-a-month one-bedroom near one of his jobs, at the Levee, in Williamsburg. He felt really lucky to have found the place, especially with a dog and less than stellar credit, even though it was a financial stretch.Just a few weeks ago, Harold McGovern, a 32-year-old bartender, had been looking forward to moving into a $1,900-a-month one-bedroom near one of his jobs, at the Levee, in Williamsburg. He felt really lucky to have found the place, especially with a dog and less than stellar credit, even though it was a financial stretch.
“This felt like a giant great step up in my life,” said Mr. McGovern, who has been living in a $1,050-a-month share in Bushwick. But then, of course, the city’s bars shut down.“This felt like a giant great step up in my life,” said Mr. McGovern, who has been living in a $1,050-a-month share in Bushwick. But then, of course, the city’s bars shut down.
“I don’t know what I’m going to be able to do if I don’t get back to work. There’s a very likely chance a lot of us are going to be homeless,” he said. “The concept of what is going to happen if this virus gets any worse makes my chest feel tight.”“I don’t know what I’m going to be able to do if I don’t get back to work. There’s a very likely chance a lot of us are going to be homeless,” he said. “The concept of what is going to happen if this virus gets any worse makes my chest feel tight.”
Mr. McGovern was already worrying about how many months of rent he’d be able to pay when he found out that his move would be delayed for at least few more weeks. The tenants in the one-bedroom he was slated to take over couldn’t leave because the apartment they were supposed to move into was temporarily unavailable — the person living there has coronavirus. Fortunately, the guy taking over Mr. McGovern’s room can wait to move as well. None of which changes the underlying situation, but it helps.Mr. McGovern was already worrying about how many months of rent he’d be able to pay when he found out that his move would be delayed for at least few more weeks. The tenants in the one-bedroom he was slated to take over couldn’t leave because the apartment they were supposed to move into was temporarily unavailable — the person living there has coronavirus. Fortunately, the guy taking over Mr. McGovern’s room can wait to move as well. None of which changes the underlying situation, but it helps.
“I feel like everyone has to bend the rules a little bit right now, ” he said.“I feel like everyone has to bend the rules a little bit right now, ” he said.
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