BILL NUMBER: S1019A
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to establishing
equitable repair and maintenance standards for certain buildings
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Requires equitable repairs and maintenance standards for mixed-income
residential buildings.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Transparency and Reporting Requirements: Mandates landlords of mixed-in-
come residential buildings with 20 or more units to maintain a log of
repair and maintenance requests, categorized by unit type (market-rate,
subsidized, rent-stabilized). This log, detailing the nature of issues,
response, and completion times, and repair specifics while anonymizing
tenant information, will be available for HCR review upon request.
Equity in Repair and Maintenance Services: Requires landlords to offer
uniform service quality across all units, dictating equal response times
and comparable quality in materials and appliances used for repairs. HCR
will provide comprehensive standards for what constitutes standardized
response times and equitable repairs to guide these requirements.
Tenant Protections: Introduces a grievance procedure for tenants to
report service-related issues directly, prohibiting repair and mainte-
nance services' use as a form of harassment and ensuring tenant rights
are upheld.
Penalties and Enforcement: Details the consequences of non-compliance,
including fines and legal action. HCR is charged with enforcing this
legislation, capable of conducting audits and investigations to ensure
adherence.
Implementation and Oversight: Assigns HCR the responsibility of monitor-
ing compliance, managing tenant grievances, and publishing annual
reports on the state of repair and maintenance services in mixed-income
buildings across New York State.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The legislation seeks to address and correct disparities in repair and
maintenance services in mixed-income residential buildings by establish-
ing New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) enforced standards.
It emphasizes the necessity for standardized response times and equita-
ble repair practices to ensure all tenants enjoy a habitable, safe, and
fair living environment.
The proposed legislation emphasizes the need to address and rectify
service disparities in mixed-income residential buildings, particularly
between market-rate tenants and those in subsidized or rent-stabilized
units. It mandates the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)
to establish standards that ensure equitable repair and maintenance
services across all tenant demographics, fostering a fair and transpar-
ent environment. This framework intends to eliminate any preferential
treatment based on the level of rent income received by landlords,
ensuring all tenants enjoy equal rights to a safe and well-maintained
living space.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 - S. 9671 - REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVEL-
OPMENT
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.