February 3rd, 2015

Catharine Young has reintroduced a bunch of her old, failed, landlord-giveaway bills for 2015:

S2281-2015 would give landlords the option (but not the requirement) to automatically renew leases for rent stabilized tenants who fail to sign a renewal lease, even if the tenants have a valid reason for refusing to do so. Previously this bill was known as S4032-2013 and S7732-2011.

S2904-2015 would give landlords the right to commence eviction proceedings against tenants who vote in the wrong place or fail to file a tax return, and would also permit landlords to challenge their tenants’ primary residency anytime they feel like it. Previously this bill was known as S3671-2013 and S5041A-2011.

S2078-2015 would allow a landlord to collect a full vacancy increase on a rent stabilized apartment (20%) in the event that the residing tenant vacates or dies, and his/her family wishes to continue the lease. Furthermore, this bill would also limit succession rights to a single generation. Previously this bill was known as S3672-2013 and S6472-2011.

S2278-2015 would eliminate rent regulated tenants’ rights two-year leases (forcing them to only sign one-year leases), and would raise the vacancy increase on those one-year leases to 20% (which is the current rate for a two-year lease). Previously this bill was known as S3673A-2013 and S6515-2011.

S2283-2015 would allow a landlord to kick out any rent regulated tenant (who is not over age 62 or disabled), thereby freeing the apartment for the owner’s personal use. In contrast to the current law, the landlord would not need to show an “immediate and compelling necessity” to do this, nor would long-term tenants (those who have lived in their apartment for 20+ years) be protected. Previously this bill was known as S4033-2013 and S5152-2011.

S2280-2015 would allow owners and managers of rent regulating housing to serve on the Rent Guidelines Board and therefore control rent increases in Nassau, Westchester, and Rockland counties. Previously this bill was known as S2045-2013.