Mamdani crackdown targets condo and co-op tax cheats

"Lasher's argument in court that he intended to return to his Brighton Beach apartment, supported by the presence of his boxer shorts, was deemed sufficient for residency."

"The Lasher-Plotnick case clarified that primary residency is a vague concept in New York, affecting not only voters but also rent-stabilized tenants."

"The Mamdani administration's new document requirement for co-op and condo tax abatement recipients is seen as a strategy to balance the city budget amid a $5.4 billion gap."

"The budget-saving measures released by City Hall included a notable $13 million in savings from condo and co-op abatement, impacting owners financially."

In 1993, Howard Lasher's City Council campaign was bolstered by a court ruling that allowed him to use his former apartment as a voting address despite not living there. This case established a precedent regarding residency definitions in New York. The Mamdani administration is now introducing new documentation requirements for co-op and condo tax abatement recipients, aiming to address a significant budget gap. This move could lead to financial implications for condo and co-op owners, as the city seeks to save $13 million from these abatements.

Read at therealdeal.com