Johnson v. Block

The word “ Landlord ” is defined in title Y of the Administrative Code of the City of New York as including an owner, lessor, sublessor or an agent of any one of them (§ Y51-3.0, subd. f). In equating an agent of an owner to the very owner, the statute makes them equally answerable for receiving rent in excess of the lawful maximum rent, without respect to which of them eventually retains it (see Albrecht v. Busch, App. Term, 1st Dept., Jan. 1970, No. 439). Thus, the landlord and agent are jointly and severally liable, and may be so sued, without the requirement that an action be instituted…