The Romea File
TenantNet's own Colleen McGuire (co-editor of Housing Court Decisions) and Robert E. Sokolski, Esq. have beaten back a strong challenge to their earlier victory in Romea v. Heiberger & Associates. On December 9th, a Manhattan federal appeals panel upheld the lower court's finding that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies to a three-day demand for rent signed by a landlord's attorney pursuant to New York law. This case was closely-watched by national consumer and landlord groups... the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed that back rent is a "debt" covered by the FDCPA and its protections.