New York, NY – August 28, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — In advance of a New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) hearing on revisions to the Rent Stabilization Code, tenants, community leaders and elected officials banded together to call the proposed changes inadequate. Tenants and elected leaders demanded tough new enforcement rules, and called on Governor Cuomo to champion these efforts for stronger tenant protections.
The State is required to issue such rules as a result of the 2011 Rent Law renewal, which stipulated that new enforcement regulations be issued. In 2011 and 2012, tenants and advocates met with the Cuomo administration and with HCR staff, and shared very specific recommendations on reforming these rules and regulations.
At the rally and in testimony before HCR, tenants decried the proposed new code revisions as insignificant. The proposed changes merely update the Rent Stabilization Code to bring it in line with the 2011 amendments to the rent laws, but make no more substantive changes. For more than a year, tenants have clearly articulated the reforms they are demanding: improving oversight over repairs that lead to rent increases; educating leaseholders about their rights under rent regulation; clarifying and strengthening the rent reduction process; and doing more to ensure that landlords register their rents with the state. The proposed new rules do nothing to meet these concerns.
Sam Stein, Rent Regulation Campaign Coordinator at New York State Tenants & Neighbors, called HCR’s proposed changes “too little too late.” “A year has gone by with no action or leadership on this issue. Just imagine how many affordable apartments may have been lost already because no action has been taken to strengthen HCR’s regulations. Tenants cannot wait any longer, and we are not satisfied with what is being proposing today. We are calling on Governor Cuomo to take the lead on this issue, and issue strong rules for rent law enforcement!”
“Preserving affordable housing in New York City is crucial to the long-term prosperity of our city and the entire region,” said Senator Liz Krueger. “But erosion in the rules, regulations, and laws governing rent-regulated housing has made it easier for irresponsible landlords to take advantage of loopholes and flaws in the system and victimize New Yorkers, especially working families and the elderly. I was pleased earlier this year when Governor Cuomo created a state Tenant Protection Unit to help safeguard New Yorkers in regulated housing, but am disappointed that tenants are still waiting for the release of needed substantive regulatory changes. We are here today attesting to the key reforms that are still needed.”
“Without our affordable housing laws, New York would not be the vibrant and diverse place it is today. Housing laws work best when there are regulations to ensure they are well-enforced and New York’s tenants are truly protected,” said Senator Daniel Squadron. “In particular, I was glad that the 2011 rent bill — passed with the leadership of Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver and the Senate Democratic Conference — included my provision to prevent the misuse of Individual Apartment Improvement rent increases. Now HCR should issue the regulations necessary to give IAI, and the other parts of the law, real teeth.”
“Tenants need stronger protection under the rent regulations. This rule-making process is an important opportunity for the state to help tenants, and HCR should not be passing up that opportunity,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried.
“It is my hope that HCR’S delay in promulgating regulations to bring the Rent Stabilization Code in line with 2011 changes to the rent laws does not reflect its overall attitude toward the issues facing rent-regulated tenants in this city,” said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “While I am pleased to see HCR finally implement these rules, I am concerned that the revisions are not enough to protect tenants living in affordable units in this city, who are seemingly under constant siege from landlords who look for any and every available opportunity to harass and evict them. In addition to issuing these basic updates, HCR should promulgate regulations that strengthen tenant protections with respect to MCIs, individual apartment improvements and J-51, among other reforms necessary to preserve affordable units. I look forward to continuing to work with Tenants & Neighbors and other affordable housing advocates to ensure that tenants get a fair shake.”
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Click here for the rally flyer.
Click here for a memo outlining our demands.
Contact:
Sam Stein, sstein (at) tandn (dot) org, 212.608.4320 ext. 316 (office), 917 714 6379 (cell)
Maggie Russell-Ciardi, maggie (at) tandn (dot) org, 212.608.4320 ext. 310 (office)
