BILL NUMBER: S7571
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, the
emergency tenant protection act of nineteen seventy-four and the emer-
gency housing rent control law, in relation to prohibiting the adjust-
ment of maximum allowable rent where any modification, increase or
improvement is made to accommodate the needs of a disabled tenant
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill provides protections against rent increases for tenants with
disabilities in the event those increases result from Individual Apart-
ment Improvements are made to accommodate their needs.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section One of the bill amends section 26-405 of the administrative code
of the city of New York to prohibit an owner from receiving any rent
increase pursuant to this subparagraph where any modification or
increase in dwelling space, services, furniture, furnishings or equip-
ment is made to accommodate the needs of a disabled tenant.
Section Two amends paragraph 13 of subdivision c of section 26-511 of
the administrative code of the city of New York to prohibit an owner
from receiving any rent increase pursuant to this subparagraph where any
modification or increase in dwelling space, services, furniture,
furnishings or equipment is made to accommodate the needs of a disabled
tenant.
Section Three amends section 6 of section 4 of chapter 576 of the laws
of 1974,constituting the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen
seventy-four to prohibit an owner from receiving any rent increase
pursuant to this subparagraph where any modification or increase in
dwelling space, services, -furniture, furnishings or equipment is made
to accommodate the needs of a disabled tenant.
Section Four amends the second undesignated paragraph of paragraph (a)of
subdivision 4 of section 4 of chapter 274 of the laws of 1946, consti-
tuting the emergency housing rent control law to prohibit an owner from
receiving any rent increase pursuant to this subparagraph where any
modification or increase in dwelling space, services, furniture,
furnishings or equipment is made to accommodate the needs of a disabled
tenant.
For purposes of this bill, a disabled person shall be defined as an
individual with a physical or mental impairment, including, but not
limited to, those of neurological, emotional or sensory organs, which
substantially limits one or more of the individual's major life activ-
ities, and (ii) who is regarded as having such impairment as certified
by a licensed physician of this state. This act shall take effect imme-
diately with some exceptions.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Information obtained from the New York State Department of Health indi-
cates that approximately 3.2 million New York residents report having a
disability, including limitations in hearing, vision, mobility, or
cognition that may impede their ability to participate in major life
roles or activities of daily living. This bill will prohibit any rent
increase due to housing modifications made to accommodate the needs of
those persons living with a disability. Currently, disabled persons run
the risk of facing additional rent increases should their landlord modi-
fy or improve accessibility through an Individual Apartment Improvement.
Such improvements. include the installation of grab bars in the bath-
room, making closet and front doors easier to open, and other services,
furnishings and furniture that can assist persons with disabilities.
The enactment of this legislation will provide protections for persons
with disabilities that need assistance in their housing situations, and
limit any increases that they could face for installation of accommo-
dations that can ease their quality of life and accessibility.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE BILL:
Assembly:
01/05/22 Referred to housing
03/01/21 Referred to housing
01/14/19 Referred to Housing,
01/03/18 Referred to Housing,
01/17/17 Referred to Housing,
04/12/16 Referred to Housing
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This Act shall take effect immediately