New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S03215

Introduced
1/24/25  
Refer
1/24/25  

Caption

Creates a presumption that certain harassing acts by an owner are intended to cause a tenant to vacate their dwelling units or to surrender or waive any rights in relation to such occupancy.

Summary

Bill S03215 seeks to amend the penal law concerning the harassment of rent-regulated tenants in New York. It establishes a presumption that certain actions by landlords are intended to coerce tenants into vacating their residences or relinquishing their rights related to occupancy. The bill clarifies that while landlords may pursue lawful eviction actions, such actions alone do not constitute harassment under the law, provided they are conducted in good faith and through appropriate legal channels.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would strengthen protections for rent-regulated tenants against harassment by landlords, making it more difficult for landlords to engage in practices that could be interpreted as coercive. It would amend existing laws to create clearer guidelines regarding what constitutes harassment, potentially reducing the number of unlawful eviction attempts and enhancing tenant security in their homes.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill S03215 appears to be supportive among tenant advocacy groups, who argue that it provides necessary protections against harassment. However, some landlords and property owner associations have expressed concerns that the bill may hinder their ability to manage properties effectively and pursue legitimate eviction processes.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between tenant protections and landlords' rights to manage their properties. Tenant advocates argue that the bill is essential to prevent harassment, while some landlords claim it may restrict their ability to evict tenants who are not complying with lease agreements. This has led to a divide in opinion among stakeholders in the housing sector.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3702

Criminalizes owner or landlord knowingly renting dwelling to tenant that is illegal occupancy which causes serious bodily injury to or death of another person.

NY A07957

Requires a rebate of all rent paid to a landlord to be paid back to a tenant who was forced to vacate an illegal dwelling unit pursuant to an emergency vacate order or eviction.

NY S09287

Establishes a real property tax exemption for certain property owners who reside full-time on such property in certain counties; requires that such owners occupy such property as their primary residence and are enrolled in or eligible for the STAR exemption or credit or that such owners rent to a tenant for a term of at least twelve months and such tenant occupies such property as their primary residence.

NY S10497

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.

NY S08559

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant which occurs when an owner intentionally engages in a systematic ongoing course of conduct to induce three or more rent regulated tenants occupying different housing accommodations in two or more residential buildings to vacate such housing accommodations or if such owner commits the crime of harassment of a rent regulated tenant and was previously convicted of the same crime in the past five years.

MA H4020

Relative to owner occupancy requirement for accessory dwelling units

TX SB1995

Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX SB1333

Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.

NY A11136

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.

NY S08118

Prohibits utility service terminations in multiple dwellings; authorizes utility companies or municipalities to commence an action against the owner of the premises affected to seek the appointment of a receiver of rents or payments for use and occupancy or common charges.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.