legally correct, ethically not

Judy and I live in the same building. We both moved in over 20 years ago.

Judy raised three kids here; they are all grown and live elsewhere. The youngest is 31. Judy has been divorced for as long as I've known her. 

Judy is about my age. Personable. Nice. Reliable. Considerate. The kind of tenant you'd love to have.

Judy lives in a large two-bedroom apartment. In April, she receives a letter from the landlord reminding her that her lease renewal is due in a couple of weeks.

Judy pays full market value for her apartment; it is not rent stabilized.

She calls the office to let them know that she never received her rent renewal.

The managing agent says, "That's because we never sent you one. We are not renewing your lease."

Just like that.

After more than 20 years.

No warning. Just an inappropriate comment. "You don't need that much space anyways."

The agent offers to find Judy another, smaller apartment in the building; Judy declines (and eventually finds something else nearby).

The management plans to gut renovate Judy's apartment (as they have been doing with all apartments as soon as someone moves out). This way they can raise the rent as much as the law allows — more than Judy would have paid with her increase.

Judy checks with two lawyers and a real estate judge; she happens to be a broker. They all tell her the same thing.

"A lease is a contract. Once the contract ends, either side can choose to renew or not." In other words, Judy has no recourse.

I live in a rent stabilized apartment so I cannot be thrown out. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

But for most, if you don't own your apartment, it's really not a home. It's just a temporary living space. 

I know business is business. But there are better ways to impart bad news.