This bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications solely based on a potential tenant's criminal history and creates similar protections for public housing applicants. It requires landlords to avoid blanket denials and mandates that public housing programs cannot inquire about criminal history before determining eligibility. The bill also establishes strict criteria for denying housing based on criminal history (only if directly related to public safety), bans consideration of sealed records, and requires an appeal process for rejected applicants. These changes directly affect renters in private housing and applicants for state/local public housing subsidies.
This bill amends New York's housing anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit landlords and housing providers from refusing to rent or sell housing based on a person's wage history, medical history, or health conditions. It adds these factors to the existing list of protected characteristics (like race, disability, or gender) in housing decisions. The law applies to all housing accommodations, including publicly-assisted housing, and bans both direct refusal and discriminatory inquiries about these protected factors. This creates a clear legal standard preventing housing discrimination tied to financial background or health status.
Relates to actions and proceedings seeking an abatement of rent based on violations of the housing maintenance code, applicable housing standards, the building code, or the health code; relates to the number of housing judges assigned to certain actions.
Provides that certain charitable and non-profit institutions shall not have the right to refuse to renew a lease of any current or future tenant occupying housing accommodations owned by such institution except where specifically authorized by law.
Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.
This bill (A 2729) requires landlords to offer tenants the option to have their rent payments reported to credit bureaus to improve their credit scores. Landlords must provide written notice at lease signing and annually, detailing the reporting terms, including a $5 monthly fee limit (if charged), and explaining how tenants can opt in or out (with a 6-month waiting period after opting out). It directly affects renters seeking to build credit and landlords who must follow specific disclosure rules. The law does not require reporting but mandates clear tenant consent and transparency about the service.
This bill requires local social services districts to set shelter allowances at up to 100% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) fair market rent (FMR) for a recipient's unit size in their district. It directly affects low-income housing recipients who receive shelter assistance through local social services districts. The key provision mandates that allowances cover the recipient's actual rent obligation, capped at HUD's current FMR for their specific area and unit size. This change ensures assistance aligns with local rental market rates rather than fixed or lower rates. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.
Relates to rental discrimination based upon consumer credit history; prohibits a person from refusing to rent or lease or otherwise to deny to or withhold from any person or group of persons housing accommodations because of the consumer credit history of such person or persons, or to represent that any housing accommodation is not available for rental or lease when in fact it is so available; defines consumer credit history.
