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.
Summary
A08291 would expand the New York City Civil Court Act to expressly authorize rent-abatement actions and proceedings based on violations of the housing maintenance code, applicable housing standards, the building code, the health code, and section 235-b of the Real Property Law (the warranty of habitability). The bill states that abatements must begin when the violation commenced and continue until the violation is corrected.
In practical terms, the bill clarifies that tenants may seek rent reductions for a broad range of housing-related conditions, including conditions that violate local or state housing standards, the building code, the health code, or the multiple dwelling law. It also defines “violation” broadly for this purpose, tying the remedy to the existence and duration of the underlying condition. The act would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 110 of the New York City Civil Court Act by adding a new category of matters within the court’s jurisdiction: rent-abatement cases based on housing, building, and health code violations and warranty-of-habitability claims. This would affect landlords and tenants in New York City by strengthening the procedural basis for tenants to pursue abatements and by making the timing of abatements explicit. The bill’s caption also references the number of housing judges assigned to certain actions, but the text provided does not include a substantive change on that point.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented debate or recorded vote to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears tenant-protective and aimed at improving enforcement of housing standards through the civil court system. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments in the provided materials suggests no identifiable public controversy from the available record.
Contention
The main substantive issue likely to draw attention is the expanded scope of rent-abatement eligibility, which could increase exposure for landlords and broaden tenants’ remedies. Landlord interests may view the bill as making abatements easier to obtain and more automatic by tying them to the start of a violation, while tenant advocates would likely support the clearer and broader enforcement mechanism. Because the provided record contains no transcripts, specific objections, compromises, or sponsor statements are not available.
Same As
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.
Same As
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.
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.
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.
Requires that any penalties for violations of housing standards or building and fire codes be assessed and imposed within fourteen days; increases certain fine amounts for violations of housing standards.
Enacts the "housing transparency act"; requires the division of housing and community renewal to establish and maintain a statewide rental unit compliance registry for covered buildings within the state.
Requires annual inspections of Mitchell-Lama buildings; requires the appointment of housing management representatives to perform such inspections; requires notification of violations to housing companies; requires such housing companies to certify correction of violations.
Enacts the "housing transparency act"; requires the division of housing and community renewal to establish and maintain a statewide rental unit compliance registry for covered buildings within the state.
Expands the right to seek the appointment of administrators of buildings to tenants and local governments throughout the state and to make procedures conform with realities of housing stock throughout the state; repeals certain provisions of the real property actions and proceedings law relating thereto.
Requires the office of mental health to provide an informational notice to supportive housing tenants which contains information about a supportive housing tenant's rights as a tenant, information about their building and other related information.
Expands the right to seek the appointment of administrators of buildings to tenants and local governments throughout the state and to make procedures conform with realities of housing stock throughout the state; repeals certain provisions of the real property actions and proceedings law relating thereto.