Bill > A08768

This bill amends the emergency housing rent control law to restrict landlords from implementing temporary major capital improvement (MCI) or individual apartment improvement (IAI) rent increases in buildings with a history of significant code violations. Specifically, the bill prohibits such increases for buildings where the owner has demonstrated a "pattern of violations" within a 24-month period (potentially extendable to 36 months), unless the landlord can prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that the proposed improvement will directly and substantially remedy those violations. A "pattern of violations" is defined as three or more violations in two different qualifying categories, or five or more violations in a single category, focusing on critical areas like heat/hot water, elevator safety, fire safety, pest infestation, environmental hazards, and structural instability. These violations must be classified as hazardous or immediately hazardous by a municipal department. The goal of the bill is to ensure that landlords address serious building maintenance and safety issues before being allowed to raise rents through improvement-based increases, thereby protecting tenants from potential exploitation and encouraging meaningful property improvements.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8768