New York City Council Member Chi Ossé, who represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and parts of North Crown Heights in Brooklyn, made headlines recently after getting arrested during an anti-eviction protest for one of his constituents. The council member released a statement in which he described how many Black homeowners are being displaced in Bed-Stuy and called for “an eviction moratorium for homeowners facing deed theft.” Shortly after this incident, Mayor Mamdani established the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention.
So, what is deed theft, who is vulnerable to it, and what resources are available to New Yorkers who might be facing the issue? This guide breaks it down for you.
Also read: NYC Tenants’ Guide to Eviction Notices and Illegal Lockouts
What is deed theft?
Deed theft is a practice that predatory individuals use to defraud homeowners of their rights to their property. There are two ways that someone could fall victim to this practice:
- A person fakes a homeowner’s signature on a deed and files it with a county clerk
- A person makes false statements to get a homeowner to sign over their deed
In either scenario, the homeowner unknowingly loses the title, or legal ownership, to their home, which puts them at risk of eviction. While anyone could be susceptible to this practice, there is a high incidence rate of deed theft amongst seniors, immigrants, and people of color, especially if the situation involves:
- Abandoned or empty properties
- Properties in foreclosure
- Properties that have tax or utility liens
- Properties where the homeowner is deceased
- Heirs who do not legally transfer the title to the property
How can I prevent deed theft?
The Office of the State Attorney General has a few pointers on how to prevent deed theft:
- Do your research: Hire a trusted lawyer to look at your title documents and help you make a plan for transfer
- Think critically: Be wary of organizations or lending institutions that try to lure you into transferring your property rights in exchange for a higher buyback rate
- Make a will: Having a will that clearly designates a beneficiary of your property upon death can help ensure your home doesn’t fall into the wrong hands
- Update your records: Ensuring that your county clerk’s office’s records of your property are correct and up-to-date
- Get Pinged: Signing up to get notifications of legal changes to your property can help you stay aware of any illegal activity regarding your home
Where can I get help if I have been a victim of deed theft?
If you think you have been a victim of deed theft, there are many state and city-wide resources at your disposal.
- You can contact the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) to get support with financial issues or foreclosure.
- You can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office or with New York City’s Department of Finance.
- Contact the district attorney’s office in the borough where the property is located and report the crime. Here’s a map where you can find the appropriate DA to contact.
- Consult with an attorney to help review your documents and fight any eviction proceeding that may be started against you
Also Read: How NYC Protects Against Job And Housing Discrimination
