Requires leases in N.Y. city to contain a rider concerning the rights and duties with regards to the housing part of court

3 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Hiram Monserrate
• José M. Serrano

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property law, in relation to notice of the rights and duties of owners and tenants in cities with a population of one million or more

Provisions

Section 235-g is added to the real property law directing owners of residential real property in cities of populations of one million or more to furnish each tenant signing a new or renewal lease with a rider describing the rights and duties of owners and tenants in the housing part of the civil court in such city. The new section also directs landlords to add language to the lease alerting tenants to the inclusion of the rider. The rider shall be a standard form to be written by the Office of Court Administration. The Office of Court Administration is further directed to conduct a public information program informing tenants of their rights and of their right to utilize the housing of the Civil Court.

Justification

Many of New York City's tenants continue to be unaware of their substantial rights as tenants and thus are at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords. Few tenants know how to begin the process of dealing with a landlord in violation of the city's housing codes or ordinances. This bill promotes tenants' self advocacy leading to greater compliance by landlords with the New York City housing codes and regulations.

Legislative history

1999-2000: S.5133 Died in Committee 2001-2002: S.2328 Died in Committee; 2003-2004: S.3007 Died in Committee; 2005-2006: S.1795 Died in Committee; 2007/2008: S.4767, Died in Committee.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined cost to the Office of Court Administration.

EFFECTIVE. DATE : This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law