Requires non-preferential opportunity for use of amenities in certain buildings and apartments; requires that rental tenants must be provided with the opportunity to use amenities commonly accessible to other tenants of the multiple dwelling and not unique to an individual unit.
Impact
The proposed changes from Bill A01968 are anticipated to significantly impact state housing laws by formalizing the requirement for equitable access to amenities. This will likely elevate the living standards for many tenants who may previously have been restricted from using such facilities. The bill also creates specific penalties for building owners who deny tenants access to these amenities, thereby incentivizing compliance with the law. The enforcement mechanisms are directed to be established by relevant housing authorities, indicating a structured approach to oversight and tenant support based on complaints.
Summary
Bill A01968 aims to amend the real property law in New York, specifically relating to the use of amenities in multiple dwelling units with six or more units. The bill mandates that all rental tenants must be granted access to commonly available amenities such as pools, fitness centers, parking, and communal gardens. Importantly, it reinforces the rights of tenants to utilize these spaces without facing additional fees that could be prohibitive, although property owners are allowed to charge reasonable fees that should not be included in rental agreements. The overall goal of the bill is to ensure fair access to property amenities that enhance living conditions for tenants in rental buildings.
Contention
Despite its intent to promote tenant rights, the bill has drawn some contention among landlords and property owners who may perceive it as an encroachment on their authority to manage building amenities. Concerns have been raised regarding the financial implications of maintaining such amenities and the administrative burden of adhering to new regulations. Furthermore, the provision allowing for fees could lead to debates over what constitutes 'reasonable,' potentially causing disparities among tenants' access to amenities based on financial ability.
Requires landlords to notify tenants if common areas or amenities in their building will be out of service for more than seven consecutive days; provides for a $1,000 civil penalty for violation.
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.
Requires a notice informing tenants of their rights to be provided to tenants at the time they execute a residential lease and to be posted in certain buildings.
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.
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.
Establishes the mental health educational opportunity program and the mental health higher educational opportunity program to provide additional educational opportunities for students at certain universities and colleges in the state to enroll in academic programs that lead to a degree or degrees required for licensure in any of the mental health professions.
Prohibits the issuance of a permit for the construction of a new multiple dwelling unless the multiple dwelling contains the minimum number of dwelling units required for the lot; defines minimum number of units required.
Requires the office of mental health to provide an informational notice to supportive housing tenants which contains information about a supportive housing tenant's rights as a tenant, information about their building and other related information.
Relates to the development and posting of a senior trail guide that identifies walking and hiking opportunities for active seniors within the state park system and along public non-motorized multi-use trails within the state.