If you are thinking about selling your Manhattan single room occupancy(SRO), now is the time to apply for the certificate of no harassment. Changes are coming starting to the application process,in September. Suffice is to say that the City is expanding the program to encompass areas where tenants are susceptible to harassment in rapidly gentrifying areas like West Harlem, East Harlem and several parts of the Bronx. The new program will have a 5 year look back and will not just be for SROs but will include as well properties with a history of proven harassment as well as an expanded set of buildings in the pilot areas.

In the current climate, it takes owners 5 to 7 months to get the certificate of no harassment. As more applications come in to HPD, that number figures to increase. Also, it is not clear if the expanded look back procedure will apply to all buildings even though they are outside the pilot areas. With this uncertainty, now would be the ideal time to apply ahead of this change which at the very least will slow down the process to obtain the CNH.

Explanation of CNH application changes

Thinking of selling your Manhattan SRO tips

The Author-  Brian Silvestry , a licensed real estate broker, has been selling residential and commercial real estate since 1999. He has sold in every neighborhood from Battery Park City to Washington Heights.