Matthew Tannenbaum

Matthew Tannenbaum

After a review, my files show Rose waited over 1 year to post this review. Reviews both on Google and other platforms show that my office diligently works for its clients, There are multiple 4 & 5-star reviews from highly satisfied clients, unfortunately despite our hard work the result does not always satisfy. I take pride in my reputation and when I receive a poor review, I always take the time to respond. I always tell my clients that landlord tenant court is not a happy place to be regardless of if you are the landlord or the tenant and to be prepared for a 3–6-month process. There are delays built into the system that can cause frustration, especially for landlords dealing with tenants who "know" how to game the systems, as in Mr. Rose's case. In this case, at inception the tenant had no lease, and the tenant already owed 2 months’ rent. As Rose wanted possession of the home we decided to commence holdover action, (in a nonpayment case the tenant can cure the nonpayment and gets to stay in the house). As Rose’s tenant had occupied the premises for more than 2 years, a 90-day notice to quit was served, by the time we filed the initial holdover case in April ‘24 the tenant owed approx. 5 months’ rent. On the first court date it was discovered that while Mr. Rose owned the home, his father was the property manager/landlord. This fact was not properly pleaded in the initial case, so I withdrew the first case and promptly filed a new case (May ‘24). Most cases take 2-3 months to progress in the Court. I had the case marked for a trial on July 10, 2025. On that date Rose with advice from his father agreed to enter into a settlement agreement with the tenant to let him stay until August 31, if he failed to vacate the sheriff would then evict. The tenant consented to a $15,300 judgment. (a transcript of judgment was obtained and recorded with the Nassau County Clerk by my office.) The tenant failed to vacate timely so on the date of execution of the warrant Mr. Rose paid 1 month moving and storage fees. Mr. Rose was under certain assumptions that were not true, 1. He thought the judge would make the tenant pay him once the case was tried and won. I explained to the client that after the case is over and a money judgment is awarded he would have to engage in collection procedures. The tenant was willing to concede on the money and just needed time to leave there was no need to try the case as vacate date (August 31) was 45 days away and the Court always had the option of staying a warrant execution after a trial. I also explained to Rose that since most tenants are judgment proof that standing on principle about the money was a waste of time, and that the” brass ring” was possession. On the trial date Mr. Rose constantly told me I was not fighting hard enough for him, so I told him if was not happy he could discharge me and hire new counsel. 2. I did not “know” the tenant” nor did not work in my building. It turns out the tenant was a paralegal who worked for an attorney I knew, and I had been to that attorney’s office several times to do RE closings. The attorney in question had been disbarred in late 2023, resulting in the tenant losing his job and thus he stopped paying rent. If by chance I had any sort of relationship with the tenant, I would not have accepted Mr. Roses case. 3. Mr. Rose paid my office a legal fee of $2,500 including filing fees and process server fees. He would have been charged additional $800 for the trial if he had not settled. As for the moving and storage fee, all clients are advised at the time of being retained that they bear all the additional costs above and beyond my fees. The specific language in my retainer. Any delay in filing the warrant with the sheriff was caused by Rose failing to promptly advance my office the approx. $150 sheriff’s warrant filing fee. Haven not spoken to Mr. Rose and do not know why he has waited over a year to post this 1 start review.