Allows municipalities to cancel any interest and penalties on delinquent property tax payments where a property owner demonstrates extraordinary circumstances, financial hardship or a history of previous timely payment of property taxes; authorizes the commissioner of taxation and finance to promulgate rules and regulations for the application process, standards for documentation and guidance for enforcing officers.
This bill establishes rules for landlords who choose to report tenant rental payments to credit bureaus to help improve a tenant's credit score. It requires landlords to provide clear written notices about reporting options at the start of a lease and annually, ensuring tenants understand that reporting positive payments is voluntary and knowing how to opt out. If a landlord reports negative information like late payments, they must notify the tenant within thirty days and explain their rights to dispute the data. Additionally, the bill sets limits on fees landlords can charge for this service and clarifies that unpaid fees cannot be used as grounds to evict a tenant or deduct from their security deposit.
This bill establishes specific criteria for courts to determine if someone living in a hotel or rooming house is a "transient occupant" rather than a tenant. To make this determination, judges will evaluate the totality of circumstances, such as whether the person has a primary residence elsewhere, maintains official records like voter registration, or is there for temporary lodging. The legislation also clarifies that a "tenant" does not include a squatter, who is defined as someone entering property without permission. By defining these categories, the bill aims to clarify when a landlord-tenant relationship exists and when special legal proceedings are required for eviction.
This bill prohibits state-chartered banks from lending money to landlords who have a history of specific bad faith actions, such as granting rent abatements due to code violations or engaging in harassment and fraud. To comply, banks must require landlords to certify that they do not have these violations or, if they do, prove that the loan will be used exclusively to fix immediate safety hazards. The legislation includes penalties of up to $50,000 for landlords who provide false information to secure financing under this rule. Once the state financial services department creates necessary regulations, the law will apply to all new, renewed, or modified loan contracts.
Prohibits surcharges on self-installed dishwashers in housing accommodations subject to rent control when the tenant pays for electric utility service.
This bill establishes specific criteria for courts to determine if someone staying in a hotel or rooming house is a "transient occupant" rather than a tenant. Under the new rules, a person is considered a tenant if they have lived in the property for at least thirty consecutive days and lack a primary residence elsewhere, such as proof of another home, voter registration, or a local job. The legislation clarifies that individuals who enter property without permission, known as squatters, are not considered tenants. Consequently, landlords must follow special legal procedures to remove tenants or lawful occupants, while the definitions provided aim to distinguish between temporary guests and those with established residency.
This bill requires landlords who are facing imminent foreclosure to inform their tenants or prospective tenants before renewing or signing a lease. The law defines imminent foreclosure as receiving a formal notice along with a court summons and complaint, and it mandates that landlords send a copy of these documents via certified mail at least two weeks before any lease agreement is finalized. If a landlord fails to provide this required notice, they must pay the tenant a five-hundred-dollar credit against the rent, in addition to any other legal remedies available. This measure directly affects landlords and tenants in New York State by ensuring transparency regarding potential foreclosure situations during the leasing process.
This bill allows the city of Albany to add unpaid fines for housing, building, and fire code violations to a property owner's annual tax bill. To qualify for this measure, the fines must be at least five percent of the property's tax value, remain unpaid for one year, and apply only to non-owner-occupied residential properties. The legislation also requires the city to notify owners of these additions and to create a support program for tenants facing potential foreclosure due to unpaid violations. Property owners can avoid foreclosure by paying the owed amount before the tax auction deadline or by entering into a payment plan with the city. If a property is sold at auction, any remaining balance after covering the fines and costs can still be pursued against the former owner.
This bill, known as the STORE Act, prevents landlords in New York City from evicting small commercial tenants - defined as those occupying retail spaces of 1,000 square feet or less - unless there is a specific, legally recognized reason. The law requires landlords to prove "good cause" in court before removing a tenant, limiting valid reasons to issues such as unpaid rent caused by excessive increases, lease violations, illegal activities on the premises, or the landlord's own need to demolish or occupy the space for a different business. If a landlord wishes to take over the property for their own use, they must provide at least 180 days' notice and pay the tenant fair market value for the loss of their business. Additionally, the act protects tenants from eviction due to rent increases that exceed 1.5 times the city's annual inflation rate and ensures that landlords cannot easily remove tenants for minor or self-created problems.
This bill requires landlords to allow government inspectors to test their rental properties for environmental contamination if the property is located near a designated Superfund or brownfield site. Under the new rules, tenants can request these inspections, and landlords must grant access within sixty days unless recent test results have already been provided to the tenant. If a landlord refuses to comply with a valid request, they face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 for a first violation up to $5,000 for subsequent ones, while tenants may seek court enforcement for repeated non-compliance. The law aims to increase transparency regarding potential environmental hazards in residential areas without allowing inspectors to enter homes without a tenant's specific request.
