Online Alerts

Landlord Groups Turn Up Pressure on Lawmakers with Ad Campaign

April 4, 2019    

With rent laws coming up for renewal, landlord groups have been pushing back against the support that has been building for major reform. A coalition of New York City building owners has begun an ad campaign that calls on lawmakers in Albany to protect small property owners' ability to...

Presidential Candidates Seek Monthly IRS Tax Credit for Rent

April 4, 2019    

Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris both wrote legislation last year to help out rent-burdened households. They are planning to introduce new versions of those bills for this legislative session. The new proposals may create a tax credit for housing rental assistance every month....

Owner Faces Backlash Over Plan to Install Facial Recognition Technology

April 4, 2019    

A group of rent-stabilized tenants at a Brooklyn complex have filed an objection with the state’s Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) agency over the owner’s plans to install facial recognition technology at the entrance to the site. The tenants are concerned over the potential for...

Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Queens Landlord

March 7, 2019    

Attorney General James and Governor Cuomo recently announced a lawsuit against a Queens landlord, Zara Realty, for violating rent stabilization laws and harassing tenants. The lawsuit alleges the landlord targeted tenants in at least 38 rent-stabilized buildings by charging excessive fees,...

Legislators Propose Bill to Eradicate MCI Rent Hikes

March 7, 2019    

State Senator Michael Gianaris and State Assembly Member Brian Barnwell have introduced legislation that would completely eradicate the MCI program. The proposed legislation represents a change from a previous piece of legislation that was introduced by Gianaris and Barnwell, which called for...

Brooklyn City Councilmember Jumaane Williams to Be NYC’s Public Advocate

March 7, 2019    

Brooklyn City Councilmember Jumaane Williams is New York City’s next public advocate after winning a special election with a solid plurality of the vote. The special election was called by Mayor Bill de Blasio in January to replace Letitia James, who vacated the role when she became the...

Mayor Announces LeadFreeNYC Plan to End Childhood Lead Exposure

February 7, 2019    

Mayor de Blasio and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, the new interim NYCHA chair, recently released the city’s “Roadmap to Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure,” following a 90-day review of all agencies’ policies related to lead prevention. The plan will screen...

HPD Takes Enforcement Action Against 250 Troubled NYC Buildings

February 7, 2019    

HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer recently announced that 250 apartment buildings have been placed in HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP). The added buildings each have enough Housing Maintenance Code violations to allow for enhanced enforcement by HPD, which may include roof-...

Maria Torres-Springer Stepping Down as HPD Commissioner

February 7, 2019    

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced that Maria Torres-Springer will step down as Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in early March to take on a new role as Vice President of U.S. Programs for the Ford Foundation. 

Judge Grants Injunction Against Airbnb Disclosure Law

January 10, 2019    

A Manhattan judge recently blocked new legislation that required Airbnb to turn over detailed data about their hosts. The law, which was set to take effect in February 2019, would have provided the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement with the names and addresses of hosts, the type of...

Last Day to Place Christmas Trees Curbside Is Jan. 12

January 10, 2019    

The city’s Department of Sanitation (DOS) will be conducting special curbside collections for mulching and recycling Christmas trees through Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. Recycling trees and wreaths doesn’t just help the environment. It also helps eliminate the fire hazard posed by...

Gov. Cuomo Outlines His Goals for First 100 Days in New Term

January 10, 2019    

In a speech last month at the New York City Bar Association, Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined an ambitious agenda for the first 100 days of his third term, which started Jan. 1. As part of his agenda, the governor intends to reform rent regulations, including ending vacancy decontrol, repealing...