What's happening
This bill requires landlords seeking to recover possession of real property to file a certificate of merit with supporting documents.
Why it matters
Raises the standard for eviction filings. Landlords (or their attorneys) must now affirm they've reviewed key facts and documents (like leases and rent records) before starting a case, aiming to reduce frivolous or poorly substantiated eviction actions.
Increases transparency for tenants. By requiring supporting documents to be filed with the eviction petition, tenants will have earlier and clearer access to the evidence being used against them, potentially improving their ability to defend themselves.
Imposes consequences for missing paperwork. If landlords can't produce required documents, they must explain why, and courts are empowered to dismiss cases or penalize landlords (with costs or attorneys' fees) if they willfully fail to provide these materials, which could deter incomplete or bad-faith filings.
Applies to all new cases moving forward. The requirements are not retroactive but will affect every new eviction proceeding from the law’s effective date, potentially changing standard legal practice for landlords and attorneys statewide.
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Who cares
Landlords seeking evictions
Their petitions would need an attorney-signed certificate of merit and supporting documents, with willful failure to provide required documents potentially leading to dismissal or costs and fees.
Attorneys representing landlords
They would have to review case facts and pertinent documents, consult identified petitioner representatives and certify a reasonable basis for bringing the proceeding.
Tenants facing eviction
They would receive supporting documents the petitioner intends to use at trial, or affidavits attesting that required documents are lost.
Courts hearing eviction proceedings
They could dismiss petitions without prejudice or order other relief when petitioners willfully fail to provide documents the court finds should have been provided.
Headline styles
Proof Needed for Eviction Cases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Ordered to third reading cal.250
- Amended on third reading 6985b
- Advanced to third reading cal.537
- Reported
- Print number 6985a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Require Proof for Evictions
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Jessica Ramos
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6985--B Cal. No. 537
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 3, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN, ORTIZ, SANTABARBARA, JACOBSON, D'URSO, HUNTER, BLAKE, BARRON, SIMON, GOTTFRIED, L. ROSENTHAL, SEAWRIGHT, MAGNARELLI, GLICK, MOSLEY, COOK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported from committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to requiring a certificate of merit in proceedings to recover possession of real property
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The civil practice law and rules is amended by adding a new section 403-a to read as follows:
§ 403-a. Certificate of merit in proceedings to recover possession of real property. (a) In any proceeding under article seven of the real property actions and proceedings law, the petition shall be accompanied by a certificate, signed by the attorney for petitioner, certifying that the attorney has reviewed the facts of the case and that, based on consultation with representatives of petitioner identified in the certificate and the attorney's review of pertinent documents, including the lease, rental records in an action based on non-payment of rent, and any documents that establish any grounds for eviction, to the best of such attorney's knowledge, information and belief there is a reasonable basis for the commencement of such action. If not attached to the notice of petition and petition, a copy of the lease, if any, and any other document relevant to the claims of petitioner, and which petitioner intends to use as evidence at trial, shall be attached to the certificate.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10928-06-9
A. 6985--B 2
(b) Where a certificate is required pursuant to this section, a single certificate shall be filed for each action even if more than one respondent has been named in the petition or is subsequently named.
(c) Where the documents required under subdivision (a) of this section are not attached to the notice of petition and petition or to the certificate, the attorney for the petitioner shall attach to the certificate supplemental affidavits by such attorney or representative of petitioner attesting that such documents are lost whether by destruction, theft or otherwise. Nothing in this subdivision shall replace or abrogate petitioner's obligations as set forth in the New York uniform commercial code.
(d) If a petitioner willfully fails to provide copies of the papers and documents required by subdivision (a) of this section and the court finds, upon the motion of any party or on its own motion on notice to the parties, that such papers and documents ought to have been provided, the court may dismiss the petition or issue an order with regard to such failure as is just including but not limited to any costs, attorneys' fees and other fees, relating to the petition. Any such dismissal shall be without prejudice and shall not be on the merits.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to proceedings commenced on or after such date.
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.