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
S03742 amends the real property tax law to require landlords of certain rent-regulated housing accommodations to provide informational material about two property tax relief programs: the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) program and the disability rent increase exemption (DRIE) program. The bill expands the current notice requirement so that the material must be included not only with new leases, but also with all renewal leases and with rent bills, including rent bills sent electronically.
The measure is aimed at ensuring tenants are more consistently informed about their possible eligibility for rent increase exemptions and the benefits of those programs. By tying the notice requirement to routine lease and billing communications, the bill seeks to increase awareness among seniors and people with disabilities who live in rent-controlled or rent-stabilized housing and may qualify for relief from rent increases.
Impact
The bill would amend section 467-b of the real property tax law, broadening landlord notice obligations for housing accommodations subject to the local emergency housing rent control act, the emergency tenant protection act of 1974, the emergency housing rent control law, or the rent stabilization law of 1969. Landlords would have to distribute the required program information annually with all new and renewal leases and on rent bills, including electronic communications. The practical effect is to increase tenant access to information about SCRIE and DRIE, potentially leading to more applications and greater use of those exemptions.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill in committee, with unanimous votes reported in the Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee. No committee transcripts are provided, but the repeated favorable votes suggest the proposal was viewed positively and as a straightforward consumer-information measure.
Contention
No direct opposition is reflected in the available materials, and the committee votes were unanimous. The main policy issue is the added administrative burden on landlords, who would need to include the notices with more communications and in electronic rent bills, but the bill text and voting record do not show that this concern generated recorded controversy. The bill’s supporters appear to be focused on improving tenant awareness and access to tax-related rent relief, particularly for seniors and tenants with disabilities.
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.