Requires applications related to coverage of residential units to be filed during a limited time period that commences after the loft board's final determination of approval for such interim multiple dwellings

2 Co-sponsors

• Liz Krueger
• Daniel L. Squadron

BILL NUMBER:S7686

Title of bill

An act to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to coverage of interim multiple dwellings and owner obligations

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill amends the multiple dwelling law by removing the six month time limit under which applications for registration as an interim multiple dwelling or for coverage of residential units must occur.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 - Removes the six month time limit under which applications for registration as an interim multiple dwelling or for coverage of residential units must occur after the date that the loll board shall have adopted all regulations necessary in order to implement the two thousand and ten loft laws. Renders it unlawful for an owner of a dwelling to cause an occupant to vacate due to repeated interruptions of essential services if the occupant has filed for coverage and has received a docket number from the loft board.

Section 2 - Specifies the dates at which owners of interim dwellings have to file an alteration application and the timeline in which they have to achieve compliance with safety and fire protection.

Section 3 - Sets forth the timeline with which the owners of interim multiple dwellings shall file an alteration application, obtain an approved alteration permit and achieve compliance with safety and fire protection standards.

Section 4 - This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after March 11th, 2014.

Justification

In 2010, legislation was introduced to make the loft law permanent. Its intent was to bring buildings that had been illegally converted from manufacturing to residential fire and safety codes. After the bill was passed, however, amendments were introduced that severely restricted the spirit of what the bill was trying to accomplish. Another deadline was put in place which meant that coverage could only be sought for up to six months after the date that the Loft Board had finished adopting all the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 2010 law.

Legislation was introduced in the first place to ensure that those residences that were created illegally could come into code compliance and allow the landlord to collect rent legally. By allowing this artificial deadline to remain it ensures that landlords of lofts are not encouraged to register their properties with the Loft Board, which would ensure that they are brought up to residential safety and fire standards. If the occupants of these lofts are evicted these premises will not revert into manufacturing spaces. All that will occur is that the landlord will rent the space to another tenant, at a much higher price. The purpose of this legislation is to provide the best possible

situation to bring these lolls up to residential fire and safety codes.

Prior legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after March 11th, 2014