Bill > S08570

This bill enacts the Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Rights Act, which prevents homeowners' associations from creating rules that unreasonably restrict the installation or use of central air conditioners and heat pumps. The bill defines these terms specifically: a central air conditioner is a system that cools an entire home through a network of ducts, and a heat pump is an electrical device that can provide both heating and cooling by transferring heat. Homeowners' associations cannot adopt rules that effectively prohibit these systems or impose unreasonable limitations, such as restrictions that reduce the system's efficiency or increase installation costs by more than 10%. The bill requires that any application for installing such systems must be processed fairly, with written approval or denial within 60 days, and includes a provision that the systems must comply with local, state, and federal health and safety standards. Notably, the bill allows homeowners' associations to prevent installations on commonly owned property, and it provides that homeowners who successfully challenge unfair restrictions can be awarded reasonable attorney's fees. The act will take effect 60 days after becoming law, providing homeowners with new protections against overly restrictive association rules regarding home cooling and heating systems.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8570