The three causes for which dispossess may be principally granted have already been stated. They are non-payment of rent, holding-over at end of term and unlawful use of the premises. In New York and certain other jurisdictions, the right of dispossess was recently greatly abridged because of circumstances which the legislature has deemed to "constitute an emergency." The emergency came about through lack of construction of buildings for housing purposes during the period of the World War. Inasmuch as public interests are superior to the interests of the owners of such buildings, the legislature felt it necessary to guard against wholesale evictions by landlords of premises occupied for dwelling purposes. A summary of the most important of these New York laws is as follows:

1. Recovery from hold-over tenants of premises occupied for dwelling purposes is prevented except in the following cases:

(a) Tenant is objectionable.

(b) When premises are required for immediate use by owner or his family.

(c) When building is to be demolished to erect new building and plans for new building have been filed and approved.

(d) When individual stockholder in co-operative apartment plan requires possession for his own use. Entire stock of corporation must be owned by persons who are to occupy portions of the building.

2. Prevent recovery of possession for non-payment of rent if the amount of rent is unjust and unreasonable and if the agreement under which recovery is sought is oppressive.

The landlord may recover a fair and reasonable rent but is required to file a bill of particulars showing income, expenses, assessed valuation, the consideration paid for the property and the encumbrances, and such other facts he may claim affect the net income. By amendment, the law provides that the tenant cannot plead unreasonableness if he has paid rent under the agreement for three successive months. He is also required to deposit the monthly rent with the clerk of the court during the pendancy of the action.

3. It has been made a misdemeanor not to furnish hot or cold water, heat, light, power, elevator, telephone or other service when the terms of the lease, expressed or implied required that such facilities be furnished.

4. The provisions as to premises used for dwelling purposes do not apply to hotels, rooming or lodging-houses.