Requires landlords of certain housing accommodations to include with all new and renewal leases, on any rent bills, including any electronic communication the informational material describing eligibility for and the benefits of the senior rent increase exemption program and the disability rent increase exemption program.
Summary
A01563 would expand the notice obligations for landlords of certain rent-regulated housing accommodations in New York. Under the bill, landlords subject to the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, local rent control laws, the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law, or the Rent Stabilization Law would have to provide informational material about the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program not only with annual lease materials, but with all new and renewal leases and on any rent bills, including those sent electronically.
The bill is aimed at making sure tenants receive repeated, accessible notice about programs that can limit rent increases for eligible seniors and people with disabilities. It also clarifies that the required information must be included with rent bills, broadening the ways landlords must communicate this benefit information to tenants. The measure would take effect 120 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill amends section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law, which governs notice requirements tied to rent-regulated housing and the SCRIE/DRIE exemption programs. Its practical effect is to impose a broader disclosure duty on landlords of covered housing accommodations, including electronic rent communications, and to increase the likelihood that eligible tenants learn about and apply for these property tax-based rent relief programs. It does not change eligibility rules for SCRIE or DRIE themselves, but it changes landlord notice and distribution requirements.
Sentiment
The committee votes indicate generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It advanced through the Assembly Housing Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and Rules Committee with clear majorities each time, suggesting broad support for improving tenant awareness of rent relief programs. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record shows support through votes rather than detailed debate.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the scope of the new notice mandate. Supporters likely view the bill as a low-burden consumer-information measure that helps seniors and tenants with disabilities access existing benefits, while opponents may be concerned about added administrative obligations for landlords, especially the requirement to include materials with every new and renewal lease and on rent bills, including electronic communications. The recorded nay votes in committee suggest some disagreement over whether the expanded notice requirements are necessary or overly burdensome.
Same As
Requires landlords of certain housing accommodations to include with all new and renewal leases, on any rent bills, including any electronic communication the informational material describing eligibility for and the benefits of the senior rent increase exemption program and the disability rent increase exemption program.
Requires landlords of certain housing accommodations to include with all new and renewal leases, on any rent bills, including any electronic communication the informational material describing eligibility for and the benefits of the senior rent increase exemption program and the disability rent increase exemption program.
Requires landlords of certain housing accommodations to include with all new and renewal leases, on any rent bills, including any electronic communication the informational material describing eligibility for and the benefits of the senior rent increase exemption program and the disability rent increase exemption program.
Requires all municipal corporations to adopt senior citizen rent increase exemption programs and disability rent increase exemption programs within one year.
Excludes Medicare premiums from the definition of income for purposes of the senior citizen rent increase exemptions (SCRIE) program and the disability rent increase exemption (DRIE).
Provides for adjustment of the maximum income threshold for eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) by any increase in the consumer price index (CPI).
Requires certain agencies and individuals to provide notice regarding the rent increase exemption for low income elderly persons and persons with disabilities programs to tenants upon the occurrence of certain events.
Requires certain agencies and individuals to provide notice regarding the rent increase exemption for low income elderly persons and persons with disabilities programs to tenants upon the occurrence of certain events.
Requires all municipal corporations to adopt senior citizen rent increase exemption programs and disability rent increase exemption programs within one year.
Prohibits landlords from including incorrect information relating to rent decontrol in certain leases and renewals thereof; imposes a violation punishable by a fine of $1000 for a violation by a landlord; requires the standardization of certain notices pertaining to units subject to the Affordable New York Housing Program.