What's happening
This bill requires the NYC Department of Buildings to independently confirm no tenants are living at a property before approving demolition or major renovation permits.
Why it matters
Prevents wrongful displacement. By requiring the Department of Buildings to independently verify the absence of tenants, the bill aims to stop landlords from falsely claiming properties are empty to fast-track demolitions or renovations, protecting vulnerable tenants from being illegally evicted or overlooked.
Closes a major loophole. The bill shifts responsibility for confirmation from property owners (who may have incentive to misrepresent) to the city, reducing the risk of fraud and increasing accountability in the permitting process.
Impacts housing stability and tenant rights. Ensuring no tenants are present before major construction permits are issued helps uphold tenant protections and may reduce instances of unlawful harassment, forced buyouts, or rushed evictions associated with redevelopment projects.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Stop Demolition With Tenants Inside
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
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.
Check for Tenants Before Demolition
In Senate Committee · Cities · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7778
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 20, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the New York city charter, in relation to requiring the New York city department of buildings to confirm that there are no tenants living at certain properties prior to approving or issuing permits for the demolition or the substantial alteration or renovation of such properties
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 645-a to read as follows:
§ 645-a. Additional powers and duties of the department. In the event that a property owner submits an application for a permit for the demolition or the substantial alteration or renovation of any building or structure and represents to the department that no tenants are living at the property, the department shall independently confirm that there are no tenants living at the property prior to approving or issuing such permit.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07262-01-9
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.