Prohibits temporary major capital improvement increases for buildings where the owner has demonstrated a pattern of violations unless the applicant shows by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed improvement will directly and substantially remedy those violations.
If enacted, S08110 would have significant implications for landlords and tenants in New York City. By enforcing stricter conditions on major capital improvement increases, the bill seeks to ensure that tenants live in safe and well-maintained housing. This could lead to a decrease in potentially hazardous living conditions as landlords may be incentivized to address existing violations before applying for rent increases associated with capital improvements.
Bill S08110, introduced in the New York Senate, aims to amend the current emergency housing rent control law, specifically addressing temporary major capital improvement increases in rent-regulated units. The key provision of this bill prohibits such increases in buildings where the owners have a documented pattern of violations against safety and building codes. This aims to protect tenants from being subjected to increased rent costs for improvements that may not effectively address existing safety concerns.
The bill has raised notable points of contention among various stakeholders. Proponents of S08110 argue that the legislation is necessary to hold landlords accountable and prevent them from profiting off improvements while neglecting tenants’ safety. Opponents, however, could argue that the bill may discourage landlords from investing in property improvements due to the increased regulatory burden, potentially leading to a lack of necessary upgrades in the housing stock, which could ultimately harm tenants in the long run.