What's happening
This bill allows tenants to decline non-essential rental amenity changes that would increase their rent.
Why it matters
Empowers tenants to reject non-essential upgrades. This bill gives tenants more control over changes to their living space, letting them say no to landlord-proposed amenities (like gym access or smart appliances) that aren't crucial to building operations.
Protects tenants from rent hikes tied to unwanted amenities. By allowing tenants to decline these upgrades, the law prevents landlords from increasing rent for improvements the tenant neither requested nor needs.
Clarifies the definition of "essential" building functions. The bill distinguishes between necessary infrastructure (heating, plumbing, support) and optional amenities, potentially reducing disputes about what counts as a required improvement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Tenants Refuse Amenity Fees
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.
Relates to landlord's proposed rental amenity changes and increased rent
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Gustavo Rivera
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4789
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BLAKE, BARRON, COOK, GOTTFRIED, HYNDMAN, MOSLEY, ORTIZ, SEAWRIGHT, TAYLOR -- 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.
LBD06779-01-9
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.