New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A01768

Introduced
1/14/25  
Refer
1/14/25  
Refer
1/7/26  
Report Pass
2/26/26  
Refer
2/26/26  

Caption

Prohibits landlords from requiring a fee for nonessential services in a tenant's base rent, including cable, internet and garage usage, as a condition of leasing a dwelling; excludes buildings with less than three dwelling units.

Impact

The enactment of A01768 will have significant effects on landlords and tenants in New York state. By clearly delineating what constitutes nonessential services and preventing their inclusion in base rent without tenant consent, the bill strengthens tenant protections. It aims to ensure transparency and fairness in rental agreements, preventing potential exploitation where landlords might impose fees for services that are deemed as nonessential.

Summary

Bill A01768 aims to amend the real property law in New York by prohibiting landlords from requiring extra fees for nonessential services included in a tenant's base rent. Nonessential services are defined to include cable television, internet services, and garage usage. The bill ensures that these services cannot be a condition of the lease agreement unless the tenant agrees to pay for them in a separate contract. This provision is meant to safeguard tenants from potentially excessive charges that could add an unfair financial burden on top of their rent.

Contention

However, the bill has sparked debates among stakeholders. Proponents argue that it is a necessary reform to protect tenants' rights and to make housing more affordable. Opponents, particularly some landlords, may express concerns that these restrictions could hinder their ability to manage properties effectively or reduce the revenue necessary to maintain the quality of housing.

Additional_notes

The bill also specifies that its provisions do not apply to buildings with fewer than three dwelling units, implicitly suggesting that smaller landlords may not be affected by these requirements. Therefore, while aiming for broader tenant protections, the bill acknowledges varying impacts on different housing markets.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY A07982

Requires that in cases concerning dwellings with two units or less, petitions that go to trial be resolved in six months or less upon issue being joined; provides that in cases concerning dwellings with three or four units, the court shall render a final judgment on a petition no later than twelve months from the date upon which the issue is enjoined.

NY S07595

Enacts the "fair addition in rental (F.A.I.R) leases act"; authorizes a tenant to add dwelling occupants to residential dwelling or housing accommodation leases upon request of the lease holder; if such occupant is at least 18 years old; and such occupant provides proof of currently residing in such dwelling; prohibits a landlord from increasing the rent or imposing a fee for the purpose of adding occupants to the lease.

NY S07893

Requires landlords to provide tenants with a rent ledger containing a detailed record, including the amount, date and method of payment, of all financial transactions between such lessee and lessor, including rent payments, late fees, and security deposits.

NY A06909

Requires that no homeless shelter shall be located within five hundred feet of a transit facility or within a building that has a rent-controlled or rent-stabilized dwelling unit.

NY A09275

Requires utility companies or municipalities act with due diligence in providing notice to tenants of multiple dwellings about gas, electric or steam services being shut off; provides a cause of action for tenants who were not provided proper notice; provides protections for landlords of multiple dwellings with regard to deferred payment agreements; requires a utility or municipality provide employees who serve as a point of contact for each multiple dwelling they provide services for.

NY SB1105

Rental; accessory dwelling units; prohibition

NY A08078

Limits security deposits to one month's rent; requires landlords to return the full security deposit and any accrued interest to which the tenant is entitled less any amount retained by the landlord within 21 days of the end of the lease.

NY S09867

Enacts the "teardown tax act"; establishes a dwelling unit removal surcharge on the conversion of multiple dwelling units into single-family dwellings in the city of New York.

NY A10999

Enacts the "teardown tax act"; establishes a dwelling unit removal surcharge on the conversion of multiple dwelling units into single-family dwellings in the city of New York.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.