Provides additional documentation a tenant may provide to demonstrate that such tenant or a member of such tenant's household has been a victim of domestic violence for purposes of permitting the termination of residential lease by victims of domestic violence.
Summary
S07124 amends New York’s Real Property Law section 227-c, which governs early termination of residential leases by tenants who are victims of domestic violence. The bill expands the kinds of proof a tenant may submit to show eligibility to end a lease, adding a written attestation related to domestic violence eligibility under the Social Services Law or Family Court Act, and a written verification from a qualified third party. The bill also clarifies that a tenant does not have to disclose confidential details about the abuse as a condition of terminating the lease.
The measure further states that a tenant cannot be denied lease termination because of arrears accrued in the account, and it requires any information submitted to be disposed of within 30 days in a way that preserves confidentiality. It defines “qualified third party” broadly to include law enforcement, court employees, attorneys, medical and mental health professionals, social workers, nurses, therapists, counselors, domestic violence service providers, and clergy. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would amend the state’s landlord-tenant rules by broadening the documentation standard for domestic-violence-related lease termination and by adding confidentiality protections for tenants seeking relief. It would affect residential landlords, tenants, and any third parties asked to verify abuse, while reinforcing the existing statutory framework in Real Property Law section 227-c and cross-referencing domestic violence definitions in the Social Services Law and Family Court Act.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have a supportive policy purpose, aimed at making it easier and safer for domestic violence survivors to leave a lease without having to produce highly sensitive evidence. The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, so the overall sentiment can only be inferred from the bill’s protective and access-oriented design rather than from formal debate.
Contention
The main policy issues raised by the text are the balance between tenant privacy and landlord verification needs, and whether the expanded list of acceptable proof could create administrative burdens or reduce evidentiary rigor. The bill addresses privacy concerns directly by prohibiting disclosure of confidential details and requiring destruction of submitted information, while also limiting disputes over unpaid rent by barring lease termination denial based on arrears. No specific opposing arguments are recorded in the provided materials.
Same As
Provides additional documentation a tenant may provide to demonstrate that such tenant or a member of such tenant's household has been a victim of domestic violence for purposes of permitting the termination of residential lease by victims of domestic violence.
Provides additional documentation a tenant may provide to demonstrate that such tenant or a member of such tenant's household has been a victim of domestic violence for purposes of permitting the termination of residential lease by victims of domestic violence.
Provides that a landlord shall not request, obtain, or consider a consumer credit report or credit history for a prospective tenant who provides a written self-attestation that they are a victim of domestic violence, and shall not deny an application for rental housing on the basis of credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence.
Enacts the safe housing transfer for domestic violence victims act; ensures safe housing transfers for domestic violence victims in public and private housing; requires landlord response within seven days of a relocation request.
Enacts the safe housing transfer for domestic violence victims act; ensures safe housing transfers for domestic violence victims in public and private housing; requires landlord response within seven days of a relocation request.