In the News

Comptroller Testifies on NYC’s Preliminary FY 2020 Budget

March 19, 2019    

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer recently testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance’s Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Budget Hearing. This year, the comptroller continues the watch list of city agencies that are of most concern when it comes to budgeting. The list...

Resiliency Plan Aims to Protect Lower Manhattan from Climate Change

March 19, 2019    

Mayor de Blasio recently released the findings of a study that determined the city’s comprehensive strategy for the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) project. The study evaluated dozens of adaptation measures and identified a set of strategies to build resilience in Lower Manhattan...

DOB Releases Interactive Building Profiles Map

March 19, 2019    

DOB recently published a new, interactive map that provides greater insight into how the department interacts with the nearly 1.1 million buildings and 45,000 active construction sites it regulates. The map provides a 12-month snapshot of building permits, complaints, inspections, violations,...

City Council Passes Basement Apartment Pilot Program

February 22, 2019    

The New York City Council recently voted in favor of creating a pilot program to expand the city’s housing stock by facilitating the creation of basement apartments in East New York. This program would also aid eligible property owners with low-cost loans. While modest in its initial scope...

Legislation Introduced to Regulate Security Deposits

February 22, 2019    

City and state legislation recently was introduced that would regulate security deposits on apartment rentals. State Senator Brad Holyman, who represents much of Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, is a co-sponsor of the state legislation. And Councilmembers Carlina Rivera and Keith Powers...

State Creates Online Portal for Rent-Stabilized Tenant Issues

February 22, 2019    

Governor Cuomo recently announced the launch of NYS Rent Connect, a new online service that modernizes and simplifies New Yorkers' interaction with the rent regulation system. It provides quick access to forms and information for tenants and building owners of rent-stabilized and rent-...

Mayor Announces Decrease in Citywide Evictions

February 22, 2019    

The de Blasio administration recently announced that residential evictions by marshals declined 37 percent since 2013, with approximately 18,000 evictions in 2018 compared to nearly 29,000 evictions in 2013. In 2018 alone, evictions decreased 14 percent, with 3,000 households and more than 8,000...

City Council Passes Clarifying Amendments to Indoor Allergen Hazards Law

February 22, 2019    

Under Local Law 55 of 2018, the Asthma-Free Housing Act, owners are required to inspect units annually for indoor allergen hazards, such as mice, cockroaches, rats, and mold. The City Council recently passed legislation that made several changes to the law, which became effective on Jan. 19,...

City Sues Firm for Running Illegal Short-Term Rental Operation

January 25, 2019    

New York City recently sued Metropolitan Property Group (MPG) along with a number of associated entities and people for turning at least 130 apartments across 35 residential buildings, including one entire building in East Harlem, into illegal short-term rentals primarily through Airbnb....

Construction Report Shows Surge in Filings for Multifamily Housing

January 25, 2019    

New York YIMBY recently issued its annual construction report, which includes all new development job applications filed with the Department of Buildings (DOB) from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. In 2018, the total number of multifamily units filed with the DOB increased 70 percent...

Mayor Promises Protections for Tenants in State of the City Address

January 25, 2019    

Mayor de Blasio vowed to create new protections for tenants in his sixth annual State of the City address, a sweeping speech focused on the difficulty of city living. During the speech he announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. De Blasio created...

Borough President Suggests Tax Breaks in Exchange for New Rent Restrictions

December 18, 2018    

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., recently proposed pairing new rent restrictions with a tax-break for property owners. The plan is intended to end the threat of sudden, significant rent increases in regulated apartments where tenants currently enjoy preferential rents and compensate...