Requires an owner to report any housing accommodation which has been vacant for more than 60 days, within 7 days; and to report the filling thereof; penalties

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen seventy-four, in relation to registration of vacancies

Summary of provisions

This bill requires the registration with the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) of any dwelling unit that has been vacant for sixty days. It amends the New York City Rent Stabilization Law and the Emergency Tenant Protection Act to require the reporting by owners to the DHCR of every dwelling unit that has been vacant for sixty days. An owner will be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per month for any dwelling unit that is not so registered.

Justification

This bill will utilize the rent registration system to create a computerized means to identify and locate vacant apartments. It will assist in developing means to discourage the warehousing of needed rental units and in enforcing laws against tenant harassment.

Legislative history

03/07/07 REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

01/09/08 REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Fiscal implications

EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately provided that the amendment to section 26-517 of the rent stabilization law of nineteen hundred sixty-nine made by section one of this act shall expire on the same date as such law expires and shall not affect the expiration of such law as provided under section 26-520 of such law and that the amendment to section 12-a of the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen seventy-four made by section two of this act shall expire on the same date as such act expires and shall not affect the expiration of such act as provided in section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended.