[MRM]

I think you've named the biggest offenders. New York City is especially notorious for allowing people who willing to manipulate the system a way to legally squat for a long time. I think what happens is that if the tenant comes up with some counterclaim or a basis for not paying rent, real or imagined, the case leaves housing court and goes to the regular civil court. Once there, the regular rules of civil procedure apply and without too much difficulty the tenant can stretch the case out for years with strategically timed motions, discovery, more motions and then a mediation or two. It also sounds like the school is cautious in pursuing the eviction too aggressively. I think there is an attorney's fees provision in New York where if a tenant is found to win on any portion of the claim she is entitled to attorney's fees and other penalties. So it can be tough for a landlord to get a determined squatter to leave.