Imposes penalties for non-compliance of DHCR orders by owners of multiple dwelling units; provides a fine of $5,000 for each instance of non-compliance.
Summary
A01526 would create new penalties for landlords and other property owners who do not comply with orders issued by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The bill adds a new section to the Public Housing Law and a new provision to New York City’s Administrative Code establishing a civil fine of up to $5,000 for each separate instance of non-compliance. In the state-law portion, the penalty applies to any landlord or owner of a multiple dwelling; in the city-law portion, it applies more broadly to any owner of a dwelling unit, including a wide range of persons or entities in control of the property.
The measure is aimed at strengthening enforcement of DHCR orders affecting residential housing, including multiple dwellings and private dwellings in New York City. It would not change the underlying DHCR order process, but it would add a specific monetary consequence for failing to follow those orders. The bill would take effect 60 days after becoming law.
Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented debate or formal vote history to indicate broad support or opposition. Based on the bill text and caption, the bill appears to be a housing-enforcement measure intended to improve compliance and accountability by property owners.
The main point of potential contention is the size and scope of the penalty. Supporters would likely view the $5,000-per-violation fine as a necessary enforcement tool to ensure compliance with housing orders, while critics may argue that the penalty is too high, could be applied repeatedly for the same property, or may burden landlords and other parties in control of residential buildings. The bill also uses broad definitions of “owner” and “dwelling unit,” which could raise questions about who may be liable.
Impact
The bill would amend the Public Housing Law and the New York City Administrative Code to authorize civil fines of up to $5,000 for each instance of non-compliance with DHCR orders. It would expand enforcement consequences for landlords, owners, and other parties in control of residential property, including multiple dwellings and, in New York City, private dwellings. The bill would create a new statutory penalty mechanism but would not alter the substantive authority of DHCR to issue orders.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or recorded support/opposition. On its face, the bill reflects a pro-enforcement, tenant-protection approach and appears designed to increase compliance with housing regulations. The available context suggests a generally supportive framing around stronger accountability for property owners, but no formal sentiment can be confirmed from the record provided.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the magnitude of the fine, the per-instance structure of the penalty, and the breadth of the liability definitions. Property owners and landlord interests may object that a $5,000 fine for each violation is excessive or duplicative, especially if DHCR orders are difficult to interpret or comply with quickly. Tenant advocates and housing enforcement supporters would likely favor the bill as a way to deter chronic non-compliance and improve enforcement of housing standards.
Requires owners of multiple dwellings with at least nine units to provide certain maintenance services; permits municipalities to require owners of multiple dwellings with six to eight units to provide these services.
Prohibits the issuance of a permit for the construction of a new multiple dwelling unless the multiple dwelling contains the minimum number of dwelling units required for the lot; defines minimum number of units required.
Requires multiple dwelling building owners to provide notice to tenants and tenant associations of certain sales and provides tenant association with opportunity to purchase multiple dwelling.
Requires multiple dwelling building owners to provide notice to tenants and tenant associations of certain sales and provides tenant association with opportunity to purchase multiple dwelling.
Requires utility companies or municipalities act with due diligence in providing notice to tenants of multiple dwellings about gas, electric or steam services being shut off; provides a cause of action for tenants who were not provided proper notice; provides protections for landlords of multiple dwellings with regard to deferred payment agreements; requires a utility or municipality provide employees who serve as a point of contact for each multiple dwelling they provide services for.
Creates shared housing rooming units in new class A multiple dwellings or buildings converted to class A multiple dwellings; creates new regulations in the New York city building codes.
Creates shared housing rooming units in new class A multiple dwellings or buildings converted to class A multiple dwellings; creates new regulations in the New York city building codes.