I don't have a super great understanding of real estate, so my example might be over simplistic and flat-out wrong. This article has better explanations for wh

I don't have a super great understanding of real estate, so my example might be over simplistic and flat-out wrong. This article has better explanations for why vacant spaces remain vacant in NYC (although it applies more to commercial than residential): https://www.brickunderground.com/rent/why-landlords-leave-apartments-empty https://www.brickunderground.com/rent/why-landlords-leave-ap... Trust me, as a resident, this phenomenon is real. There are a number of stores in my neighborhood that have been vacant for literally the entire time I've lived in the area (~ 2 years). As a general rule of thumb, renters (both commercial and residential) really don't have much leverage in NYC, except under extremely rare circumstances. It's hard to understand unless you actually live here, but the rule governing real estate elsewhere in the USA don't really apply here.