Establishes a housing court for actions and proceedings involving the enforcement of state and local laws for the establishment and maintenance of housing standards; requires such court to establish an escrow account; provides that any landlord that owns twenty units or less shall be entitled to free legal services if such landlord can prove a loss of at least twenty percent of rent payments in a calendar year; makes related provisions.
Provides for the filling of vacancies in the office of lieutenant-governor by appointment of the governor subject to confirmation by majority vote in the senate and majority vote in the assembly; provides for an extended order of succession for the filling of a vacancy in the office of the governor.
Prohibits the recording of conveyances suspected of being fraudulent; requires the clerk or registrar to conduct an investigation into transactions suspected of being fraudulent and to report such investigations to the local law enforcement or sheriff's office.
Extends certain provisions relating to authorizing New York city marshals to exercise the same functions, powers and duties as sheriffs with respect to the execution of money judgments of the supreme and family courts of the city of New York; requires New York city marshals to post and electronically file notices of eviction.
Provides that a mortgage investing institution that maintains a mortgage on any real property in the state of New York shall give ten days written notice prior to requiring payment of an increase in the amount of escrow if the dollar amount of such increase is more than five percent of the total monthly payment; provides that no service charge shall be imposed for the giving of such notice; defines that term "mortgage investing institutions" as any banking organization or other entity engaged in the business of offering mortgage financing to the public or investing in mortgages.
Prohibits residential landlords from charging tenants a fee for a dishonored rent check in excess of the actual costs or fees incurred by such landlord as a result thereof, provided such dishonored check fee was included in the initial lease.