Bill > S05956

This bill addresses the ongoing housing crisis in New York by enhancing the enforcement of the warranty of habitability, which legally requires landlords to maintain rental properties in safe and sanitary conditions. The bill adds a new provision to existing real property law that allows courts to award punitive damages to tenants when a landlord intentionally or maliciously breaches the warranty of habitability, or demonstrates a conscious disregard for severe risks to the tenant's life, health, or safety. The legislative findings highlight that current enforcement efforts by city and state agencies are not always sufficient to deter landlords from maintaining substandard housing conditions. Importantly, the bill specifically excludes municipal housing authorities organized under public housing law from being subject to these punitive damage provisions. The new law will take effect 90 days after it is signed, aiming to provide tenants with an additional legal tool to protect themselves against egregious violations of housing standards and to incentivize landlords to maintain safe living environments.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5956