What's happening
This bill requires sellers and landlords to disclose detailed flood risk and flood insurance information for residential properties and leases.
Why it matters
Buyers and renters gain access to detailed flood risk data. The bill requires sellers and landlords to disclose whether properties are in high or moderate flood zones, if flood insurance is required, and if there’s a history of federal disaster assistance or insurance claims, helping consumers make more informed decisions about property risks and future costs.
End of the $500 “opt-out” loophole. Previously, sellers could avoid making disclosures by giving buyers a $500 credit; this bill removes that option, making disclosure mandatory and ensuring buyers aren’t left in the dark about major flood risks or prior flood events.
Potential financial and insurance impacts for buyers and tenants. Disclosure of flood insurance requirements and claims history can affect mortgage eligibility, insurance costs, and even eligibility for future federal disaster aid, potentially influencing the affordability and desirability of certain properties.
Greater transparency may influence property values and rental markets. By publicly surfacing flood risks and past damage, the law may impact property values in flood-prone areas, incentivize better flood mitigation, and encourage both sellers and landlords to address vulnerabilities before transactions.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Home sellers
Sellers covered by the disclosure law would face expanded questions about flood zones, insurance, claims, disaster assistance and water damage, while the bill would eliminate the $500 buyer credit for failure to deliver a disclosure statement.
Homebuyers
Buyers would receive more detailed flood-risk disclosures, including a copy of any flood insurance policy, and the bill would expressly preserve existing legal claims and remedies.
Residential landlords
Every residential lease would have to disclose mapped flood risks and prior damage from natural floods and include a notice about renters’ flood insurance.
Residential tenants
Tenants would receive lease notices about the premises’ flood history and risk and the availability of National Flood Insurance Program coverage for personal belongings.
Headline styles
Disclose Flood Risk to Buyers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
6 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8439
IN SENATE
June 1, 2020
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to requiring disclosure of information concerning flood insurance on property condition disclosure statements; and to repeal section 467 of the real property law relating to liability with respect to property disclosures
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 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:
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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14518-05-0
S. 8439 2
RECEIVE UPON THE TRANSFER OF TITLE A CREDIT OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AGAINST THE AGREED UPON PURCHASE PRICE OF THE RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPER- TY.]
"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.
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
S. 8439 3
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)] IS ANY OR ALL OF THE
PROPERTY LOCATED WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY IN THE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
AREA ("SFHA"; "100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN") ACCORDING TO FEMA'S CURRENT
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS FOR YOUR AREA? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES,
EXPLAIN BELOW)
11. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY IN A
MODERATE RISK FLOOD HAZARD AREA ("500-YEAR FLOODPLAIN") ACCORDING
TO FEMA'S CURRENT FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS FOR YOUR AREA? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
12. IS THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO ANY REQUIREMENT UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO
OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE ON THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN
NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
HOMES IN THE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA, ALSO KNOWN AS HIGH RISK
FLOOD ZONES, ON FEMA'S FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS WITH MORTGAGES
FROM FEDERALLY REGULATED OR INSURED LENDERS ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN
AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE. EVEN WHEN NOT REQUIRED, THE FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERS IN HIGH
RISK, MODERATE RISK, AND LOW RISK FLOOD ZONES TO PURCHASE FLOOD
INSURANCE THAT COVERS THE STRUCTURE(S) AND THE PERSONAL PROPERTY
WITHIN THE STRUCTURE(S).
13. HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED ASSISTANCE, OR ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PREVI-
OUS OWNERS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE, FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (FEMA), THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINIS-
TRATION (SBA), OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL DISASTER FLOOD ASSISTANCE FOR
FLOOD DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN
BELOW)
FOR PROPERTIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE, THE
REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE PASSES DOWN TO ALL FUTURE
OWNERS. FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN FLOOD INSURANCE CAN RESULT
IN AN INDIVIDUAL BEING INELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE.
14. IS THERE FLOOD INSURANCE ON THE PROPERTY? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES,
ATTACH A COPY OF THE POLICY)
15. HAVE YOU EVER FILED A CLAIM FOR FLOOD DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY WITH
ANY INSURANCE PROVIDER, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE
PROGRAM (NFIP)? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[11.] 16. IS ANY OR ALL OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN A DESIGNATED
WETLAND? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[12.] 17. IS THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT? YES
NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
S. 8439 4
[13.] 18. WAS THE PROPERTY EVER THE SITE OF A LANDFILL? YES NO UNKN
NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[14.] 19. 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.] 20. IS THERE ASBESTOS IN THE STRUCTURE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES,
STATE LOCATION OR LOCATIONS BELOW)
[16.] 21. IS LEAD PLUMBING PRESENT? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, STATE
LOCATION OR LOCATIONS BELOW)
[17.] 22. HAS A RADON TEST BEEN DONE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH A
COPY OF THE REPORT)
[18.] 23. 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.] 24. HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN TESTED FOR THE PRESENCE OF MOTOR FUEL,
MOTOR OIL, HOME HEATING FUEL, LUBRICATING OIL, OR ANY OTHER PETRO-
LEUM PRODUCT, METHANE GAS, OR ANY HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC SUBSTANCE?
YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, ATTACH REPORT(S))
STRUCTURAL
[20.] 25. IS THERE ANY ROT OR WATER DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OR STRUC-
TURES? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[21.] 26. IS THERE ANY FIRE OR SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OR STRUC-
TURES? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[22.] 27. IS THERE ANY TERMITE, INSECT, RODENT OR PEST INFESTATION OR
DAMAGE? YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[23.] 28. 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.] 29. 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] WARRANTY ON THE ROOF IN EFFECT NOW? YES
NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)
[25.] 30. 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.] 31. WHAT IS THE WATER SOURCE (CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY - WELL,
PRIVATE, MUNICIPAL, OTHER)? IF MUNICIPAL, IS IT METERED? YES NO
UNKN NA
[27.] 32. HAS THE WATER QUALITY AND/OR FLOW RATE BEEN TESTED? YES NO
UNKN NA (IF YES, DESCRIBE BELOW)
[28.] 33. 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.] 34. 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)
S. 8439 5
[30.] 35. 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. DOES THE BASEMENT HAVE SEEPAGE THAT RESULTS IN STANDING WATER?
YES NO UNKN NA (IF YES, EXPLAIN BELOW)] 36. HAS THE STRUCTURE(S)
EXPERIENCED ANY WATER PENETRATION OR DAMAGE DUE TO SEEPAGE OR A
NATURAL FLOOD EVENT, SUCH AS FROM HEAVY RAINFALL, COASTAL STORM
SURGE, TIDAL INUNDATION OR RIVER OVERFLOW? 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.] 37. PLUMBING SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[33.] 38. SECURITY SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[34.] 39. CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR? YES NO UNKN NA
[35.] 40. SMOKE DETECTOR? YES NO UNKN NA
[36.] 41. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[37.] 42. SUMP PUMP? YES NO UNKN NA
[38.] 43. FOUNDATION/SLAB? YES NO UNKN NA
[39.] 44. INTERIOR WALLS/CEILINGS? YES NO UNKN NA
[40.] 45. EXTERIOR WALLS OR SIDING? YES NO UNKN NA
[41.] 46. FLOORS? YES NO UNKN NA
[42.] 47. CHIMNEY/FIREPLACE OR STOVE? YES NO UNKN NA
[43.] 48. PATIO/DECK? YES NO UNKN NA
[44.] 49. DRIVEWAY? YES NO UNKN NA
[45.] 50. AIR CONDITIONER? YES NO UNKN NA
[46.] 51. HEATING SYSTEM? YES NO UNKN NA
[47.] 52. HOT WATER HEATER? YES NO UNKN NA
[48.] 53. 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] FEMA'S CURRENT FLOOD INSURANCE RATE 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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property law, in relation to requiring disclo- sure of information concerning flood insurance on property condition disclosure statements; and to repeal section 467 of the real property law relating to liability with respect to property disclosures
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 462 of the Real Property Law to add new questions relating to a property's flood history and flood insurance requirements to the Property Condition Disclosure Statement set forth by such section. Property owners would have to disclose whether the proper- ty is located in a 100-year or 500-year floodplain according to FEMA's flood insurance rate maps, whether the property is subject to require- ments under federal law to obtain and maintain flood insurance, and the property's flood insurance history.
Section 2 of the bill amends Section 465 of the Real Property Law to strike subdivision 1, which provides that in the event that a seller fails to provide the Property Condition Disclosure Statement to a buyer prior to a sale, the buyer receives a $500 credit towards the sale of the property. It also adds the provisions of Section 467 of the Real Property Law, which is repealed by the bill, to Section 465 of the Real Property Law.
Read the full memo (725 words)
Section 3 of the bill repeals Section 467 of the Real Property Law.
Section 4 of the bill creates a new Section 231-b of the Real Property Law that requires residential leases to provide notice of the flood risk and flood history of a leased premises, as well as a notice to tenants of flood insurance available to renters.
Section 5 of the bill provides the effective date.
Justification
New York's current flood risk disclosure laws require sellers of resi- dential real property to provide buyers with a property condition disclosure statement prior to the buyer signing a contract of sale. Among other things, the statement requires the seller to disclose wheth- er a property is located in a "designated floodplain," and whether there are any flooding, drainage, or grading problems that have resulted in standing water on the property.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) currently gives New York's flood risk disclosure law a failing grade, thanks in large part to the fact that if a seller fails to provide the disclosure statement to the buyer, the only penalty for doing so is that the seller has to provide the buyer a $500 credit towards the purchase price of the property. This negligible penalty leads many sellers to treat the requirement to provide the disclosure statement as optional, and the $500 credit as merely a cost of doing business. New York is unique in this regard, as no other state has this opt-out credit option in law. The questions relating to flood history and risk on New York's disclosure statement are also in need of an update to conform with more comprehensive laws passed in states such as Texas and Louisiana which provide buyers with more specific information about the nature of the property's flood risk and their obligation under federal law to obtain flood insurance for the property.
Additionally, New York's flood disclosure laws only apply to sales of residential real property, meaning that renters are not receiving adequate disclosures about the flood risks and history of the units they lease.
New Yorkers deserve to be informed about the condition of residential property they purchase and to be aware of any flood risks they might face when buying or renting their homes, especially in an era where so-called "100-year floods" are happening much more frequently due to climate change.
This bill would update New York's disclosure statement to arm homebuyers with more information and repeal the $500 credit, requiring sellers to either provide the disclosure statement or risk being held liable for failure to do so. It would also create a new section of the Real Proper- ty Law requiring residential leases to provide notice of the flood risk and flood history of a leased premises, as well as a notice to tenants of flood insurance available to renters.
Prior legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.