New York Senate Bill S07571

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/22/25
• Refer: 4/22/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Prohibits the adjustment of maximum allowable rent where any modification, increase or improvement is made to accommodate the needs of a disabled tenant; defines disabled tenant.

Summary

This bill would amend New York City rent regulation laws and the state emergency tenant protection and emergency housing rent control laws to bar landlords from increasing regulated rent when a modification, increase, or improvement is made to a housing accommodation to accommodate the needs of a disabled tenant. It adds a definition of “disabled” for this purpose, tied to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities and is certified by a licensed physician. The bill makes parallel changes across three rent-regulation frameworks: the New York City rent and rehabilitation law, the New York City rent stabilization provisions, the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, and the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law. In each place, it preserves existing rules that generally allow rent increases for substantial apartment improvements, but creates an explicit exception when the work is done for a disabled tenant’s accommodation. The measure also keeps the bill’s amendments tied to the continuing existence of the relevant emergency rent-control authorities, and states that it takes effect immediately.

Impact

The bill would narrow landlords’ ability to recover costs through regulated rent increases for apartment alterations, equipment, furnishings, or services when those changes are made to accommodate a disabled tenant. As a result, owners of rent-regulated housing in New York City and other covered jurisdictions would be prohibited from passing those accommodation-related costs through to tenants via maximum rent adjustments under the cited statutes. The bill would amend provisions of the New York City Administrative Code, the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974, and the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law, while leaving the broader framework for individual apartment improvements and other rent increases intact for non-disabled-tenant-related work.

Sentiment

The bill text and available context suggest a tenant-protective, disability-access-oriented policy goal, with the measure framed as preventing rent penalties for making accommodations required by a disabled tenant. No committee transcript or recorded vote is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broader legislative support or opposition. Based on the caption and structure, the bill appears designed to be favorable to tenants and disability rights advocates, while limiting a landlord revenue mechanism.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be whether landlords should be allowed to recover costs for modifications made specifically to accommodate disabled tenants, especially in rent-regulated units where cost recovery is already tightly controlled. Supporters would likely argue that accessibility-related improvements should not trigger rent increases because they are necessary accommodations, not optional upgrades. Opponents, if any, would likely focus on cost recovery, administrative complexity, and the possibility that the new prohibition could discourage owners from making accommodations or create disputes over whether a modification was truly for a disabled tenant and whether the tenant meets the bill’s definition of disabled.