Bill > A01618

This bill addresses the issue of "warehousing" in housing, which is the intentional withholding of housing accommodations from the market, including for potential future co-operative conversion. The bill amends the administrative code of New York City to make warehousing unlawful and establishes significant penalties for property owners who engage in this practice. Specifically, the bill defines harassment as actions that alarm or seriously annoy tenants without a legitimate purpose and introduces civil penalties for such behavior. For a first offense, property owners can be fined between $2,000 and $3,000, with subsequent offenses or violations affecting multiple housing accommodations carrying fines between $10,000 and $11,000. The legislation is rooted in the legislature's declaration that housing is a basic human right and that warehousing contributes to housing shortages, particularly in New York City. The bill aims to deter property owners from intentionally keeping housing units off the market by implementing strong financial consequences. The amendments will remain in effect as long as the public emergency requiring residential rent control continues, with certain provisions subject to expiration in line with existing housing laws.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1618