Automatic Stay

What is it? The automatic stay is a legal fiction that springs into effect automatically upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition. It is broad in scope and stops almost all collection actions against a debtor or its property. 

What is Stayed? Examples of actions that are prohibited include: (i) a demand that the tenant pay a debt which accrued before the commencement of the bankruptcy case; (ii) action to terminate the lease agreement; (iii) action to evict the tenant; and (iv) applying any security deposit held by the landlord.

What isn't Stayed?  A lease agreement that expired or was terminated before the bankruptcy case commenced is outside the scope of the automatic stay. However, out of an abundance of caution, a landlord should consider seeking relief from the automatic stay before enforcing its rights under the lease.