New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, has issued guidance to New Yorkers, highlighting how to navigate tenant issues related to the coronavirus disease 2019.

New York residents are under an order by the state to remain in their homes. Beginning March 20, 2020, all evictions across New York State were suspended until June 19, 2020, and the courts are not accepting any new eviction or foreclosure cases. Threats of eviction are not only illegal, but also damaging to the well-being of New Yorkers, says a release from the attorney general’s office.

“No New Yorker should live in fear of having their home taken away from them at a time of extreme duress,” said James in the release. “Consistent access to safe and stable housing is of the utmost importance right now, and I encourage tenants who believe they are victims of harassment or discrimination by landlords to contact my office.”

The website for the attorney general’s office describes tenants’ rights in full.

James offers the following highlights for the rights of tenants during the COVID-19 crisis in New York State:

— No county sheriff, city marshal, or city constable may currently perform an eviction, even if there is an existing warrant;

— Landlords cannot participate in “rent gouging,” by increasing rent in order to capitalize on the crisis;

— Landlords cannot withhold essential services over failure to pay rent;

— New York State anti-harassment laws make it illegal for landlords to engage in any action that is intended to force tenants to leave their homes or otherwise give up their rights under law; and

— Landlords cannot discriminate against or evict a tenant because the tenant, or someone the tenant lives with, has contracted or had COVID-19, or the landlord thinks that the tenant has or had COVID-19.

The Office of the Attorney General continues to actively monitor landlords throughout the state to ensure that no tenant is being harassed or discriminated against and will take appropriate action to protect tenants and all New Yorkers.