What's happening
This bill imposes up to $5,000 fines on landlords and dwelling owners for failing to comply with housing division orders.
Why it matters
Increases Accountability for Landlords. By imposing significant fines—up to $5,000 per violation—this bill creates a strong financial incentive for landlords and property owners to promptly comply with housing orders, potentially leading to improved living conditions for tenants.
Broadens the Definition of 'Owner'. The bill expands who can be held responsible for non-compliance, including not just property owners, but also mortgagees, receivers, trustees, lessees, agents, and anyone with control over a dwelling. This ensures that responsibility cannot be easily avoided by shifting control or ownership.
Covers All Types of Residential Units. The penalties apply to both multiple dwellings (like apartment buildings) and private dwellings (single-family homes), meaning the protections and enforcement mechanisms are extended to a wide range of tenants.
Strengthens Enforcement Powers of Housing Authorities. By backing up division of housing and community renewal orders with substantial penalties, the bill may enhance the effectiveness of housing authorities in upholding safety and maintenance standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Fine Landlords for Disobeying Orders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
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.
Fine Landlords Who Ignore Orders
In Assembly Committee · Housing · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2368
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
AN ACT to amend the public housing law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to penalties for non-compliance of division of housing and community renewal orders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public housing law is amended by adding a new section 14-a to read as follows:
§ 14-a. Penalties for non-compliance. Any landlord or owner of a multiple dwelling who fails to comply with any order by the division of housing shall be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars for each instance of non-compliance.
§ 2. Title 26 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 1 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 1
MISCELLANEOUS Section 26-101 Penalties for non-compliance.
§ 26-101 Penalties for non-compliance. 1. Any owner of a dwelling unit who fails to comply with any order by the division of housing and community renewal shall be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars for each instance of non-compliance.
2. For purposes of this section:
(a) the term "owner" shall mean and include the owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a dwelling; and
(b) the term "dwelling unit" shall mean any residential accommodation in a multiple dwelling or private dwelling.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05482-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public housing law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to penalties for non-compliance of division of housing and community renewal orders
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would penalize landlords for noncompliance with division of housing and community renewal orders.
Summary of specific provisions
The public housing law is amended by adding section 14-a, stating that any landlord or owner of a multiple dwelling who fails to comply with any order by the division of housing shall be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars for each instance of non-compliance.
Title 26 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new Chapter 1 to read as follows: Penalties for non-compliance.
1. Any owner of a dwelling unit who fails to comply with any order by the division of housing and community renewal shall be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars for each instance of non-compliance.
2. For purposes of this section, the term "owner" shall mean and include the owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or lesser state therein, a mortgage or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a dwelling.
Justification
Legislative efforts to improve housing conditions and assure protections for tenants axe stymied if building owners simply ignore government orders and regulations. BY institutionalizing the sensible policy of issuing financial penalties for non-compliance with Division of Housing and Community Renewal orders, existing and future tenants are more likely to be protected.
Prior legislative history
A.10922 of 2010 2015-2016: Referred to housing, construction and community development
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.