Bill > A03275

This bill establishes a specialized housing court designed to handle a wide range of housing-related legal actions and proceedings, including enforcement of housing standards, civil penalty collections, lien establishments, injunctions, property disputes, and housing violation removals. The housing court will have broad jurisdiction to consolidate cases related to specific buildings, maintain ongoing oversight until housing violations are resolved, and can join additional parties to promote proper housing maintenance. Housing court judges, who must be qualified and experienced in housing laws, will be appointed for five-year terms and have the power to make final determinations. The bill introduces several unique provisions, such as requiring tenants to submit owed rent into an escrow account to appear in court and providing free legal services to landlords who own 20 units or less and can prove a 20% loss of rent payments in a calendar year. Additionally, the court will track rent loss and foreclosure cases, and prevent landlords in mortgage foreclosure from entering foreclosure until housing court resolves rent issues. The court will also have pro se clerks to assist individuals without legal representation, ensuring broader access to judicial resources. This legislation aims to create a more comprehensive and supportive legal framework for addressing housing-related challenges.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3275