New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer has recently proposed support for legislation that would mandate landlords include a clear and concise “Tenant Bill of Rights” in lease packets. That rationale for the legislation would be to assist every tenant with a document that can be used to fight for their rights to “safe accommodation”. The Bill of Rights would be translated into numerous languages and could also be posted in the public spaces of buildings so tenants and landlords would understand the expectations of all parties.
The Comptroller’s office stated according to the release ” The passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act in June of 2019, which introduced an array of new safeguards for tenants, highlights the need for greater public awareness about new and existing tenant protections. Despite the new regulations, persistent reports of unwitting or deceitful landlords and brokers subjecting New Yorkers to violations of the law are an indication that no matter how impactful these legal gains are, laws do not enforce themselves.” Residential tenant issues are the most common reason for 311 from 2010 to October 2019. There were over 5.8 million calls to 311 and 27% of overall calls involving residential and HPD issues. Also 52,830 people have requested HPD literature through 311 which the Comptroller believes is a significant demand for information.
In the past there have been four times that legislation proposing additional disclosures mentioned in this report were introduced in the New York City Council. There were 3 proposals in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The last time additional disclosures were introduced was in 2011 there were enough votes however there was a fear of a Mayoral veto therefore the bill was scrapped.
The rental packets would be mandated in every lease and would require the following according to the release:
Basic rights: A summary of a tenant’s right to a livable, safe, and sanitary dwelling unit, free from leaks, rodents, pests, and hazards.
Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act Updates: The abundant new protections passed in 2019 for market rate tenants, including security deposit restrictions, an application fee limit and rules for rent increases.
Enforcement: A unified listing of contact information and the responsibilities of agencies and offices that oversee housing rights— from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Attorney General’s Office to the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Domestic Violence: Domestic violence survivors have a range of protections and resources available to them, including access to emergency shelters run by the city’s Human Resources Administration (HRA).
Heating Standards: Many tenants may not know that landlords are required to maintain specific temperature ranges depending on the time of year and weather.[5]
And more: There are important protections regarding a landlord’s access to the apartment, pets, a tenant’s freedom from retaliation, and month-to-month tenancy rules.”
There has not been any response whether the NYC legislature will take up the recommendations presently. Should they do we will report it. Property Management companies in NYC should monitor and make changes accordingly to their rental disclosures.
BJD Property Management is a full service NYC property management company servicing the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx. Whether it be a 1 bedroom condo or multi-family building we are able to assist our clients maximize their investments.