Housing

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4087: Requires return of a security deposit by a landlord within 30 days unless the landlord gives written notice of retention for legally authorized cause

Requires a landlord to return to a tenant the full security deposit within thirty days of the surrender of the premises by such tenant unless the landlord provides such tenant with a written statement listing the reasons for the retention of any portion of the deposit; sets forth particular situations for which the landlord may retain such security deposit; renders the landlord liable for treble damages for any violation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days with written justification, protecting tenants from unlawful retention and imposing treble damages for violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4179: Prohibits utility companies from certain replevin actions

Prohibits utility companies from certain replevin actions; provides that the continued provision of all or any part of gas, electric and steam service to all residential and commercial customers without unreasonable qualifications or lengthy delays is necessary for the preservation of the health and general welfare and is in the public interest; establishes the seizure of electric, gas, or steam meters is against the public interest.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utility service disruptions, protecting consumer access to energy services per public interest mandate.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections without cause, protecting tenant stability and health by ensuring continuous service to residential customers without unreasonable delays.85% confidence

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8816: Relates to providing tenants with the option to execute leases electronically

This bill gives tenants the right to sign leases and rental agreements electronically instead of on paper. It applies to all new leases, renewals, and related documents like notices, making electronic versions legally equivalent to paper copies. Tenants can choose this option when entering or renewing a lease, and landlords must accept it. The law does not cover court documents or legal notices in lawsuits. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenant rights by mandating electronic lease validity, allowing tenants to choose digital signing without landlord refusal, aligning with tenant protection indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables electronic lease signing, advancing digital transaction adoption as a tech-friendly policy without privacy/security focus80% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4556: Relates to providing residents of municipal public housing in the state with free basic cable and high-speed internet service

Relates to providing residents of municipal public housing in the state with free basic cable and high-speed internet service, and reimbursing internet service providers and cable television companies for providing such service.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides free internet/cable to public housing residents, enhancing tenant living conditions and affordability in subsidized housing.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides free high-speed internet access in public housing, expanding digital equity and internet access - key support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3755: Authorizes the empire state development corporation to create funds to compensate communities that have been harmed by land use plans

S 3755 authorizes New York's Empire State Development Corporation to create compensation funds for communities harmed by land use plans, such as when development causes small businesses to close, rents to rise, or residents to be displaced. The bill allows the corporation to establish these funds without needing new state approvals or legislative action. It specifically defines "harm" to include economic and housing disruptions from development projects. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates compensation funds for housing disruptions like displacement and rent increases caused by development, directly addressing housing protections and community harm.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1051: Allows tenants to appeal judgments or orders issued against them without first being required to pay any portion of such judgment or order

Allows tenants to appeal judgments or orders issued against them without first being required to pay any portion of such judgment or order; postpones such payment until the end of the stay triggered by service upon the landlord of the notice of appeal or affidavit of intention to move for permission to appeal such judgment or order or pay an undertaking.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes prepayment requirement for tenant appeals, directly protecting tenant rights against financial barriers in housing disputes per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7963: Eliminates late fees for residential utility customers

This bill eliminates late fees for residential utility customers in New York. It prohibits utility companies and municipalities from charging residential customers (homeowners and renters) any late payment fees, penalties, or interest for overdue gas or electric bills. The law directly affects all residential utility customers by removing this common charge, while small businesses remain subject to different late fee rules. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEliminates late fees for residential tenants, reducing financial burden and strengthening tenant affordability protections in housing costs.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 654: Increases penalties for owners of rent-regulated property who overcharge tenants

This bill increases penalties for landlords who overcharge tenants in rent-regulated housing. If a landlord is found to have willfully overcharged, they must pay five times the overcharge amount (up from three times). Landlords can avoid the higher penalty by proving the overcharge was unintentional and not due to negligence, in which case they pay only the overcharge plus interest. The bill also clarifies that voluntary rent refunds after a complaint is filed cannot be used as evidence the overcharge was not willful.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases penalties for rent overcharges in regulated housing, strengthening tenant protections against exploitation. Directly addresses tenant rights in housing context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2101: Establishes the green affordable pre-electrification program

Establishes the green affordable pre-electrification program to assist owners and tenants in residential properties in curing structural and building code defects which render the properties ineligible for improvements or projects relating to energy savings, green-house gas emissions reductions, climate change adaptation and resiliency project grants; establishes the energy efficiency and electrification interagency coordination group to coordinate between certain energy efficiency programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes program for energy efficiency, emissions reductions, and climate resiliency projects in residential properties, creating interagency coordination group for energy programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables residential energy efficiency upgrades and emissions reductions by removing structural barriers to green grants and creating interagency coordination for climate resiliency projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes program to help residential properties access energy efficiency grants by fixing structural defects, advancing affordable housing through improved eligibility for climate-resilient upgrades.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change Building Codes

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in committee · New York · Senate May 27, 2025

S 5622: Expands the right to seek the appointment of administrators of buildings to tenants and local governments throughout to make procedures conform with realities of housing stock; repealer

Expands the right to seek the appointment of administrators of buildings to tenants and local governments throughout the state and to make procedures conform with realities of housing stock throughout the state; repeals certain provisions of the real property actions and proceedings law relating thereto.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tenant rights to seek building administrators and streamlines procedures, strengthening tenant protections in housing management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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