Bill > A06735

This bill provides a detailed mechanism for tenants in cities with populations of one million or more to address hazardous housing code violations by allowing them to contract for repairs and offset the costs from their rent under specific circumstances. The bill defines key terms like "hazardous violation" and "immediately hazardous violation" and establishes a process where tenants must first notify their landlord by certified mail about the violation and wait a specified period (seven days for immediately hazardous violations, thirty days for standard hazardous violations) before taking action. Tenants can either perform repairs themselves or hire a licensed contractor, with strict requirements about documentation and cost limitations. An individual tenant can deduct up to $1,000 or two months' rent (whichever is greater), while a group of tenants can deduct up to $3,000, or potentially $10,000 for immediately hazardous violations if additional notification procedures are followed. The bill also includes protections for tenants, such as the ability to recover legal costs if the landlord takes retaliatory action, and stipulates that any agreement waiving these rights is void. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that these remedies are not exclusive and do not limit other existing tenant rights, and it requires cities to classify housing code violations appropriately within six months of the act's passage.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6735