What's happening
This bill requires property owners and landlords in New York to disclose if a property has ever been used as a methamphetamine lab before selling or leasing.
Why it matters
Health and Safety Concerns. Methamphetamine production leaves hazardous chemical residues that can linger in homes, posing serious health risks (respiratory issues, skin irritation, neurological effects) to unsuspecting occupants, especially children or those with health conditions.
Transparency and Buyer Protection. By requiring disclosure of meth contamination, the bill empowers potential buyers and renters to make informed decisions, possibly avoiding costly cleanups or dangerous living environments that would otherwise be hidden.
Market Impact and Property Values. Properties previously used as meth labs can be expensive to remediate and may have diminished value; mandatory disclosure could affect property prices, insurance costs, and the speed at which properties sell or rent.
Legal Accountability. The bill creates clear legal obligations for landlords and sellers, reducing the risk of future lawsuits or disputes about undisclosed contamination, and encouraging more responsible property management and sales practices.
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Who cares
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Disclose Meth Contamination Before Sale
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
5 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6936
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 27, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. LENTOL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to requiring the owner or landlord of a property to disclose whether property has ever been used as a methamphetamine lab before such property is sold or leased
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 240 of the real property law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. The term "contaminated" as used in this article means that a property is polluted by hazardous materials as a result of the use, production, or presence of methamphetamine.
§ 2. The real property law is amended by adding a new section 231-b to read as follows:
§ 231-b. Disclosure of methamphetamine contaminated property. 1. The term "contaminated" as used in this section means that a property is polluted by hazardous materials as a result of the use, production, or presence of methamphetamine.
2. If a lessor offering to rent real property has actual knowledge that the property is or has ever been contaminated from the use, storage, or manufacture of methamphetamines, the lessor shall inform any potential lessee of the existence of such contamination prior to entering into a contract for the lease of such property.
§ 3. Section 242 of the real property law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. Any person, firm, company, partnership or corporation offering to sell real property has actual knowledge that the property is or has ever been contaminated from the use, storage, or manufacture of methamphetamines, the owner shall inform any purchaser of the existence of such contamination prior to entering into a contract for the sale/purchase of such property.
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 462 of the real property law, as added by chapter 456 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10335-01-9
A. 6936 2
2. The following shall be the disclosure form:
PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
NAME OF SELLER OR SELLERS:
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
THE PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE ACT REQUIRES THE SELLER OF RESIDEN- TIAL REAL PROPERTY TO CAUSE THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR A COPY THEREOF TO BE DELIVERED TO A BUYER OR BUYER'S AGENT PRIOR TO THE SIGNING BY THE BUYER OF A BINDING CONTRACT OF SALE.
PURPOSE OF STATEMENT: THIS IS A STATEMENT OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY KNOWN TO THE SELLER. THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS NOT A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY THE SELLER OR BY ANY AGENT REPRESENTING THE SELLER IN THIS TRANSACTION. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY INSPECTIONS OR TESTS AND THE BUYER IS ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN HIS OR HER OWN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL INSPECTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS AND ALSO IS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK PUBLIC RECORDS PERTAINING TO THE PROPERTY.
A KNOWINGLY FALSE OR INCOMPLETE STATEMENT BY THE SELLER ON THIS FORM MAY SUBJECT THE SELLER TO CLAIMS BY THE BUYER PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE TRANSFER OF TITLE. IN THE EVENT A SELLER FAILS TO PERFORM THE DUTY PRESCRIBED IN THIS ARTICLE TO DELIVER A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PRIOR TO THE SIGNING BY THE BUYER OF A BINDING CONTRACT OF SALE, THE BUYER SHALL RECEIVE UPON THE TRANSFER OF TITLE A CREDIT OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AGAINST THE AGREED UPON PURCHASE PRICE OF THE RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY.
"RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY" MEANS REAL PROPERTY IMPROVED BY A ONE TO FOUR FAMILY DWELLING USED OR OCCUPIED, OR INTENDED TO BE USED OR OCCU- PIED, WHOLLY OR PARTLY, AS THE HOME OR RESIDENCE OF ONE OR MORE PERSONS, BUT SHALL NOT REFER TO (A) UNIMPROVED REAL PROPERTY UPON WHICH SUCH DWELLINGS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR (B) CONDOMINIUM UNITS OR COOPERATIVE APARTMENTS OR (C) PROPERTY ON A HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION THAT IS NOT OWNED IN FEE SIMPLE BY THE SELLER.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SELLER:
(a) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS BASED UPON YOUR ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE.
(b) ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES WITH YOUR SIGNATURE IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS REQUIRED.
(c) COMPLETE THIS FORM YOURSELF.
(d) IF SOME ITEMS DO NOT APPLY TO YOUR PROPERTY, CHECK "NA" (NON-AP- PLICABLE). IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER CHECK "UNKN" (UNKNOWN).
SELLER'S STATEMENT: THE SELLER MAKES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BUYER BASED UPON THE SELLER'S ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SIGN- ING THIS DOCUMENT. THE SELLER AUTHORIZES HIS OR HER AGENT, IF ANY, TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS STATEMENT TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF THE RESIDEN- TIAL REAL PROPERTY. THE FOLLOWING ARE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE SELLER AND ARE NOT THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER'S AGENT.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED THE PROPERTY?
2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU OCCUPIED THE PROPERTY?
3. WHAT IS THE AGE OF THE STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES? NOTE TO BUYER--IF
THE STRUCTURE WAS BUILT BEFORE 1978 YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVESTI-
GATE FOR THE PRESENCE OF LEAD BASED PAINT.
A. 6936 3
4. DOES ANYBODY OTHER THAN YOURSELF HAVE A LEASE, EASEMENT OR ANY
OTHER RIGHT TO USE OR OCCUPY ANY PART OF YOUR PROPERTY OTHER THAN
THOSE STATED IN DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLIC RECORD, SUCH AS
RIGHTS TO USE A ROAD OR PATH OR CUT TREES OR CROPS. YES NO UNKN NA
5. DOES ANYBODY ELSE CLAIM TO OWN ANY PART OF YOUR PROPERTY? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
6. HAS ANYONE DENIED YOU ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY OR MADE A FORMAL LEGAL
CLAIM CHALLENGING YOUR TITLE TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF
YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
7. ARE THERE ANY FEATURES OF THE PROPERTY SHARED IN COMMON WITH
ADJOINING LAND OWNERS OR A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, SUCH AS WALLS,
FENCES OR DRIVEWAYS? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES DESCRIBE BELOW)
8. ARE THERE ANY ELECTRIC OR GAS UTILITY SURCHARGES FOR LINE EXTEN-
SIONS, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS OR HOMEOWNER OR OTHER ASSOCIATION FEES
THAT APPLY TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
9. ARE THERE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY RELATED TO THE PROPERTY? YES
NO UNKN NA (IF NO, EXPLAIN BELOW)
ENVIRONMENTAL
NOTE TO SELLER - IN THIS SECTION, YOU WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS REGARD- ING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES THAT YOU KNOW TO HAVE BEEN SPILLED, LEAKED OR OTHERWISE BEEN RELEASED ON THE PROPERTY OR FROM THE PROPERTY ONTO ANY OTHER PROPERTY. PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, GASOLINE, DIESEL FUEL, HOME HEATING FUEL, AND LUBRICANTS. HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES ARE PRODUCTS THAT COULD POSE SHORT- OR LONG-TERM DANGER TO PERSONAL HEALTH OR THE ENVIRON- MENT IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY DISPOSED OF, APPLIED OR STORED. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES AND INSECTI- CIDES, PAINT INCLUDING PAINT THINNER, VARNISH REMOVER AND WOOD PRESERVA- TIVES, TREATED WOOD, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SUCH AS ASPHALT AND ROOFING MATERIALS, ANTIFREEZE AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS, BATTERIES, CLEANING SOLVENTS INCLUDING SEPTIC TANK CLEANERS, HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS AND POOL CHEMICALS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING MERCURY AND LEAD.
NOTE TO BUYER - IF CONTAMINATION OF THIS PROPERTY FROM PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND/OR HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES IS A CONCERN TO YOU, YOU ARE URGED TO CONSIDER SOIL AND GROUNDWATER TESTING OF THIS PROPERTY.
10. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN A DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN?
YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
11. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN A DESIGNATED WETLAND?
YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
12. IS THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
13. WAS THE PROPERTY EVER THE SITE OF A LANDFILL? YES NO UNKN NA
(IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
14. ARE THERE OR HAVE THERE EVER BEEN FUEL STORAGE TANKS ABOVE OR
BELOW THE GROUND ON THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA IF YES, ARE
THEY CURRENTLY IN USE? YES NO UNKN NA LOCATION(S) ARE THEY LEAKING
OR HAVE THEY EVER LEAKED? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
15. IS THERE ASBESTOS IN THE STRUCTURE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE
LOCATION OR LOCATIONS BELOW)
16. IS LEAD PLUMBING PRESENT? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE LOCATION
OR LOCATIONS BELOW)
17. HAS A RADON TEST BEEN DONE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH A COPY
OF THE REPORT)
A. 6936 4
18. HAS MOTOR FUEL, MOTOR OIL, HOME HEATING FUEL, LUBRICATING OIL OR
ANY OTHER PETROLEUM PRODUCT, METHANE GAS, OR ANY HAZARDOUS OR
TOXIC SUBSTANCE SPILLED, LEAKED OR OTHERWISE BEEN RELEASED ON THE
PROPERTY OR FROM THE PROPERTY ONTO ANY OTHER PROPERTY? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, DESCRIBE BELOW)
19. HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR THE PRESENCE OF MOTOR FUEL, MOTOR
OIL, HOME HEATING FUEL, LUBRICATING OIL, OR ANY OTHER PETROLEUM
PRODUCT, METHANE GAS, OR ANY HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCE? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH REPORT(S))
20. IS OR HAS THE PROPERTY EVER BEEN CONTAMINATED FROM THE USE, STOR-
AGE, OR MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINES? YES NO UNKN
STRUCTURAL
[20.] 21. IS THERE ANY ROT OR WATER DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OR STRUC-
TURES? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[21.] 22. IS THERE ANY FIRE OR SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OR STRUC-
TURES? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[22.] 23. IS THERE ANY TERMITE, INSECT, RODENT OR PEST INFESTATION OR
DAMAGE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[23.] 24. HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR TERMITE, INSECT, RODENT OR
PEST INFESTATION OR DAMAGE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, PLEASE ATTACH
REPORT(S))
[24.] 25. WHAT IS THE TYPE OF ROOF/ROOF COVERING (SLATE, ASPHALT,
OTHER.)? ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS? HOW OLD IS THE ROOF? IS THERE
A TRANSFERABLE WARRANTEE ON THE ROOF IN EFFECT NOW? YES NO UNKN NA
(IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[25.] 26. ARE THERE ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS: FOOTINGS, BEAMS, GIRDERS, LINTELS, COLUMNS OR
PARTITIONS. YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS & SERVICES
[26.] 27. WHAT IS THE WATER SOURCE (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY - WELL,
PRIVATE, MUNICIPAL, OTHER)? IF MUNICIPAL, IS IT METERED? YES NO
UNKN NA
[27.] 28. HAS THE WATER QUALITY AND/OR FLOW RATE BEEN TESTED? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, DESCRIBE BELOW)
[28.] 29. WHAT IS THE TYPE OF SEWAGE SYSTEM (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY -
PUBLIC SEWER, PRIVATE SEWER, SEPTIC OR CESSPOOL)? IF SEPTIC OR
CESSPOOL, AGE? ________ DATE LAST PUMPED? ________ FREQUENCY OF
PUMPING? ________ ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS? YES NO UNKN NA (IF
YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[29.] 30. WHO IS YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDER? ________ WHAT IS THE
AMPERAGE? ________ DOES IT HAVE CIRCUIT BREAKERS OR FUSES?
________ PRIVATE OR PUBLIC POLES? ________ ANY KNOWN MATERIAL
DEFECTS? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[30.] 31. ARE THERE ANY FLOODING, DRAINAGE OR GRADING PROBLEMS THAT
RESULTED IN STANDING WATER ON ANY PORTION OF THE PROPERTY? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE LOCATIONS AND EXPLAIN BELOW)
[31.] 32. DOES THE BASEMENT HAVE SEEPAGE THAT RESULTS IN STANDING
WATER? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
ARE THERE ANY KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW. USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS IF NECESSARY.):
[32.] 33. PLUMBING SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[33.] 34. SECURITY SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
A. 6936 5
[34.] 35. CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR? YES NO UNKN NA
[35.] 36. SMOKE DETECTOR? YES NO UNKN NA
[36.] 37. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[37.] 38. SUMP PUMP? YES NO UNKN NA
[38.] 39. FOUNDATION/SLAB? YES NO UNKN NA
[39.] 40. INTERIOR WALLS/CEILINGS? YES NO UNKN NA
[40.] 41. EXTERIOR WALLS OR SIDING? YES NO UNKN NA
[41.] 42. FLOORS? YES NO UNKN NA
[42.] 43. CHIMNEY/FIREPLACE OR STOVE? YES NO UNKN NA
[43.] 44. PATIO/DECK? YES NO UNKN NA
[44.] 45. DRIVEWAY? YES NO UNKN NA
[45.] 46. AIR CONDITIONER? YES NO UNKN NA
[46.] 47. HEATING SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[47.] 48. HOT WATER HEATER? YES NO UNKN NA
[48.] 49. THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE
FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICT UNKN
NOTE: BUYER IS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK PUBLIC RECORDS CONCERNING THE PROP- ERTY (E.G. TAX RECORDS AND WETLAND AND FLOOD PLAIN MAPS)
THE SELLER SHOULD USE THIS AREA TO FURTHER EXPLAIN ANY ITEM ABOVE. IF NECESSARY, ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES AND INDICATE HERE THE NUMBER OF ADDI- TIONAL PAGES ATTACHED.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
SELLER'S CERTIFICATION: SELLER CERTIFIES THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE SELLER'S ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AS OF THE DATE SIGNED BY THE SELLER. IF A SELLER OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRES KNOWLEDGE WHICH RENDERS MATERIALLY INACCURATE A PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PROVIDED PREVIOUSLY, THE SELLER SHALL DELIVER A REVISED PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO THE BUYER AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. IN NO EVENT, HOWEVER, SHALL A SELLER BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A REVISED PROPERTY CONDI- TION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AFTER THE TRANSFER OF TITLE FROM THE SELLER TO THE BUYER OR OCCUPANCY BY THE BUYER, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
SELLER _______________________________________ DATE ________________
SELLER _______________________________________ DATE ________________
BUYER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT: BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THIS STATEMENT AND BUYER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS INFORMATION IS A STATEMENT OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY KNOWN TO THE SELLER. IT IS NOT A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY THE SELLER OR SELLER'S AGENT AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY HOME, PEST, RADON OR OTHER INSPECTIONS OR TESTING OF THE PROPERTY OR INSPECTION OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS.
BUYER _______________________________________ DATE ________________
BUYER _______________________________________ DATE ________________
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