New York A 4960: Requires all residential leases to disclose tenants' rights

Bill Text

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A04960 Summary:

BILL NOA04960 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S03568

&nbsp

SPONSORBichotte Hermelyn

&nbsp

COSPNSRSeawright, Reyes

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §235-k, RP L; add §85, Mult Dwell L; add §305-b, Mult Res L; add §784, RPAP L; add §5-907, Gen Ob L

&nbsp

Provides that all residential leases shall contain a detailed description of tenant's statutory rights including among others, warranty of habitability, willful violation of lease, right to participate in tenants' associations, no eviction for good faith complaint, utility payment offset and sublet rights; grants tenant the right to install extra locks; sets out landlord obligations with respect to heating and oil delivery.

Go to top A04960 Actions:

BILL NOA04960 

&nbsp

02/10/2025referred to judiciary

01/07/2026referred to judiciary

Go to topA04960 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA04960 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA04960 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4960

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 February 10, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE HERMELYN, SEAWRIGHT, REYES -- read once
 and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

 AN ACT to amend the real property law, the multiple dwelling law, the
 multiple residence law, the real property actions and proceedings law
 and the general obligations law, in relation to requiring all residen-
 tial leases to disclose tenants' rights

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The real property law is amended by adding a new section
 2 235-k to read as follows:
 3 § 235-k. Standard lease clause. 1. Every written residential lease
 4 shall contain the following clauses:
 5 a. "Warranty of habitability". The landlord promises that the apart-
 6 ment and building are fit to live in and not dangerous to the life,
 7 health or safety of the occupants. Unless the apartment or building
 8 becomes unfit to live in due to the misconduct of the tenant or the
 9 tenant's family or guests, the landlord will be held responsible if this
 10 promise is broken, even if it is not the fault of such landlord.
 11 Conditions which would violate this promise include, but are not
 12 limited to: insect or rodent infestation, insufficient heat and plumbing
 13 facilities, significantly dangerous electrical outlets or wiring, and
 14 inadequate sanitation facilities.
 15 If the promise is violated, the tenant may withhold from rent the loss
 16 in the value of the apartment due to the violation.
 17 b. "Willful violation of lease". If the landlord or such landlord's
 18 employee or agent intentionally violates a provision of this lease or
 19 intentionally interferes with the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the apart-
 20 ment, the landlord is guilty of a criminal offense.
 21 c. "Tenant's associations". The tenant has the right to organize and
 22 participate in the activities of any group or association of tenants.
 23 Tenant groups have the legal right to meet in common areas of the build-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD07262-01-5

 A. 4960 2

 1 ing at reasonable hours as long as these meetings do not interfere with
 2 the right of others to enter, leave or move about the building.
 3 The landlord will not punish, harass, or evict any tenant for exercis-
 4 ing this right.
 5 d. "No eviction for good faith complaint". The landlord may not evict
 6 a tenant or refuse to renew the lease for one year in retaliation for
 7 the tenant bringing a good faith complaint to a governmental authority
 8 for an alleged violation of this lease or any law or regulation govern-
 9 ing the apartment.
 10 e. "Trial by jury". The landlord and tenant have the right to trial by
 11 jury in any action for personal injury or property damage.
 12 f. "Utility payment offset". If the landlord is responsible for
 13 payment to a utility company, and in order to avoid a shut-off or to
 14 restore service the tenant pays a portion of the utility bill directly
 15 to the utility, the amount paid may be deducted from the rent.
 16 2. Every written residential lease for a residence in a d