Bill > A08245

This bill amends the Real Property Law to provide legal remedies for potential tenants who are denied housing due to their past involvement in landlord-tenant disputes. Specifically, the bill allows a tenant who has been discriminatorily denied housing to file a civil lawsuit in the Supreme Court seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages. The lawsuit can be filed within two years of when the tenant reasonably discovers the violation and can target the landlord, their agent, employee, or any person responsible for leasing the property. Importantly, the tenant can pursue this legal action regardless of whether they have previously reported the violation to the Attorney General, and the tenant's lawsuit does not prevent the Attorney General from separately pursuing injunctive relief and civil penalties. The bill aims to protect tenants from being unfairly penalized or discriminated against for exercising their legal rights in previous housing-related disputes, thereby ensuring more equitable access to housing.