Bill > S08046

This bill establishes an annual inspection and audit process for individual apartment improvements (IAIs) in rent-regulated housing located outside New York City and in cities with populations under one million. The bill requires the division responsible for rent regulation to review 5% of IAI notifications through individual inspections and document reviews to ensure landlords have complied with legal obligations. If an audit finds that a landlord cannot substantiate the costs claimed for apartment improvements, the overcharge will be considered willful. Furthermore, if a landlord is found to have willfully overcharged a tenant, the division must conduct additional audits of all housing accommodations under that owner's control, in addition to existing penalties. The key goal is to prevent landlords from improperly raising rents through unsubstantiated or exaggerated apartment improvement claims, providing an additional layer of oversight to protect tenants in rent-stabilized units from potential financial exploitation.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8046