In this episode of Inside R&E, Zachary J. Rothken, Member and Head of the firm’s Administrative Law Department, invites Ann Korchak, Board President of the Small Property Owners of New York (SPONY), for a discussion on the leading challenges for property owners in New York today. As regulations in the real estate landscape continue to shift and tighten, Ann explains the difficulties of owning, operating and managing small properties across the state as anti-landlord bills, such as Good Cause Eviction and the recently-announced “Regina-repealer” bills, develop in Albany.

Together, Zachary and Ann show how non-profit housing groups like SPONY are working within the real estate industry to address the City’s increasing housing crisis by denouncing short-sighted policies such as rent stabilization. With growing concerns over the affordability of housing for tenants in NYC along with the struggle for landlords to make much-needed improvements to units in the face of overregulation and out-of-date rent rates, Zachary and Ann urge policymakers and politicians to balance the needs of both property owners and tenants, chiefly by stepping away from rent stabilization and bringing units to market value.

Ann Korchak has spent the last 20-plus years operating two small rental buildings that have been in her husband's family for decades. Previously, she worked in corporate real estate and retail leasing before raising her children full-time. As Board President of SPONY, Ann speaks to lawmakers, industry stakeholders and journalists about the challenges housing providers face when operating their small businesses in New York.

Zachary’s practice focuses on complex rent regulatory issues concerning rent stabilization and rent control. He represents property owners in administrative proceedings before DHCR and other administrative agencies, including claims alleging rent overcharge, TPU audits, petitions for administrative review and reduction of services. Zachary counsels prospective purchasers, sellers and lenders in performing due diligence on properties subject to rent regulation. His practice also includes representing property owners in a wide variety of litigation matters, including: Article 78 proceedings, Supreme Court actions and landlord-tenant summary proceedings. Zachary is frequently invited to speak on webinars, podcasts and in-person panels addressing rent stabilization and related legislative developments.

For any questions related to this episode, please contact Zachary J. Rothken at [email protected] or (212) 551-8453. To contact Ann or connect with the Small Property Owners of New York (SPONY), visit www.spony.org or email at [email protected].