Relates to extending the senior citizen and persons with disabilities rent increase exemption program to dwelling units subject to orders of a rent guideline board

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to eligibility for the senior citizen and persons with disabilities rent increase exemption program

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to expand eligibility for SCRIE and DRIE to tenants whose landlords have entered into voluntary agreements to base future rent increases on rules established by the Rent Guidelines Board.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 and Section 2 amends section 467-b of the real property tax law by making "dwelling units" eligible for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIB) if there was an agreement providing for rent increases equal to or less than the amount ordered by a rent guideline board of a locality. In addition, where such an agreement provides for rent increases in certain years that are based on but greater than the amount ordered by the rent guideline board, the locality shall have the authority to provide for rent increases up to or above the amount ordered by the board.

Section 3 of the bill establishes the effective date.

Justification

In order to qualify for SCRIE or DRIE, a person must meet certain age and income qualifications. In addition, residents must pay more than one-third of their monthly household income on rent and live in a rent regulated apartment. Tenants who could qualify for these programs, but do not live in rent regulated apartments are not eligible.

There are a number of buildings in New York City where landlords of deregulated units have agreed to base future rent increases on rules established by the Rent Guidelines Board, essentially tying the rent of these deregulated units to rent regulated rent increases.

This bill would expand eligibility for SCRIE and DRIE to tenants whose landlords have entered into voluntary agreements to base future rent increases on rules established by the Rent Guidelines Board.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal Fiscal Impact

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the amendments to paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section two of this act shall take effect.