What's happening
This bill requires the Secretary of State to quickly establish cease and desist zones against aggressive real estate solicitation in specified Brooklyn zip codes.
Why it matters
Targets aggressive real estate practices. The bill is a response to the rise of high-pressure and sometimes deceptive tactics used by real estate professionals, particularly in rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods, which can result in homeowners feeling harassed or even falling victim to deed theft.
Protects vulnerable homeowners. By mandating the immediate creation of cease and desist zones in specific zip codes, the bill aims to give longtime residents more control and reduce the risk of them being pressured into selling their homes against their wishes.
Accelerates regulatory response. The legislation overrides the slower, existing process for establishing these zones, reflecting lawmakers’ recognition that the current framework is not acting quickly enough to address urgent problems in affected Brooklyn communities.
Establishes a renewable five-year protection. The cease and desist zone will be in effect for five years, with the possibility of renewal, offering both immediate and potentially long-term relief to homeowners facing intense solicitation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Stop Real Estate Harassment
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 6786a
- Amend (t) and recommit to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Limit Real Estate Solicitations
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6786--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 20, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary -- recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to designate certain zip codes as cease and desist zones
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. To curb aggressive real estate solicitation practices, the legislature enabled the secretary of state to create "cease and desist zones" if owners within the zone "are subject to intense and repeated solicitation" to place their property for sale. A homeowner within a cease and desist zone may file a statement with the secretary of state requesting placement on a cease and desist list. No real estate broker, salesperson or other person regularly engaged in the trade or business of buying and selling real estate may solicit a listing from an owner placed on the cease and desist list.
The cease and desist program is a valuable tool for homeowners that are inundated with solicitations for their home, and it has been a proven success in cease and desist zones in the counties of Queens, Bronx and Rockland.
In many neighborhoods in Kings County, long-time homeowners have been the subject of increasingly aggressive real estate solicitation, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid gentrification. Solicitors often use shady or illegal tactics to confuse or manipulate homeowners. Many homeowners have also been the victims of deed theft, unknowingly signing away their home and most valuable asset. Unfortunately, existing statutory framework for establishing a cease and desist zone in these neighborhoods is not working fast enough to protect homeowners in Brooklyn.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06112-03-0
A. 6786--A 2
The legislature hereby finds and declares that due to intense and repeated solicitation of owners of residential real property by real estate brokers, real estate salespersons, and other persons regularly engaged in the trade or business of buying and selling real estate, the rapid establishment of a cease and desist zone is necessary in the following zip codes: 11203, 11210, 11212, 11215, 11217, 11218, 11219, 11225, 11226, 11230, 11232, 11234, 11236 and 11238.
§ 2. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the secretary of state shall establish by rule a cease and desist zone, pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 442-h of the real property law, consisting of the following zip codes within ninety days of the effective date of this act: 11203, 11210, 11212, 11215, 11217, 11218, 11219, 11225, 11226, 11230, 11232, 11234, 11236 and 11238. The rule establishing such cease and desist zone shall be effective for five years, provided the secretary of state may re-adopt the rule to continue the cease and desist zone pursuant to paragraph (c) of subdivision 3 of section 442-h of the real property law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.