What's happening
This bill allows tenants to decline non-essential rental amenity upgrades proposed by landlords if they result in increased rent.
Why it matters
Empowers tenants to control their housing costs. by allowing them to refuse non-essential amenity upgrades that would raise their rent, helping protect renters from unwanted financial burdens imposed by landlords.
Defines a clearer boundary between essential and non-essential improvements. , ensuring that only upgrades critical to a building’s basic operation (like heating or plumbing) can be made without tenant consent if they result in higher rent.
May influence landlord investment decisions. , as property owners would need tenant approval for certain upgrades that are not fundamental necessities, possibly slowing or altering the kinds of improvements made in rental properties.
Strengthens tenant rights and negotiation power. , giving renters a formal say in decisions that directly impact their cost of living and the features of their homes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Tenants Refuse New Amenities
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to housing
- Referred to housing
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Tenants Refuse Rent Hikes
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Gustavo Rivera
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4399
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BLAKE, MOSLEY, COOK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Housing
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to landlord's proposed rental amenity changes and increased rent
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 226-a of the real property law, as added by chapter 76 of the laws of 1959 and renumbered by chapter 107 of the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows:
§ 226-a. Effect of new lease on tenant's right to remove or deny fixtures or improvements. 1. Unless otherwise expressly agreed, where a tenant has a right to remove fixtures or improvements, such right shall not be lost or impaired by reason of his acceptance of a new lease of the same premises without any surrender of possession between terms.
2. Tenants shall have the option to decline proposed rental amenity changes recommended by the landlords so long as the amenity changes are not essential to the foundation and function of the building, such as heating, support, plumbing, etc. and the changes would result in an increase in rent.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00166-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.