Author Archives: abogny

The City Council, Wednesday, passed a slew of new fire safety bills that the Mayor is expected to sign into law. Int. 608 will require building owners to post a notice to tenants to close doors behind them when escaping … Continue reading →

The New York City Water Board is considering a 2.36% increase in water rates effective July 1st. Hearings are scheduled later this month, with a final vote May 31st. Repealing the Urstadt Law, ending vacancy allowances and luxury decontrol, and … Continue reading →

Governor Cuomo wants to move quickly this Spring to end “vacancy decontrol,” presumably meaning either luxury decontrol or vacancy allowances, if Democrats take a Westchester Senate seat in a special election next week. It’s part of his plan to move left … Continue reading →

The Rent Guidelines Board Price Index of Operating Costs rose 4.5% since last year, according to a report issued Thursday. The “commensurate” rent increases suggested by the analysis range from a low of 1.75% and 3% for one and two year renewals to … Continue reading →

Sure, Facebook lets foreign governments manipulate you, but now the social media giant is accused of fostering housing discrimination. Seems the ability to target your apartment ads to young singles with no kids, or not show it to people self-identified … Continue reading →

There will be a rental housing emergency through April 1, 2021, according to legislation approved by the New York City Council, Thursday. The Council extended the local declaration of emergency for three more years, subject to State renewal of local … Continue reading →

A federal judge has denied a request by New York City Housing Authority tenants to appoint an independent monitor over the Authority’s lead abatement and maintenance efforts, noting that there is no federal law or constitutional right guaranteeing “a certain … Continue reading →

Mayor de Blasio responded honestly, Monday, to a radio interviewer’s question about “affordable housing”. “ ‘If you are saying ‘100% affordable,’ you are saying ‘all taxpayer-funded.’ Let’s be honest about this,’ ” the Mayor said. The City Council Housing and Buildings … Continue reading →

Spending on new apartment construction, alteration, and renovation in New York City is projected to decline to $11.6 billion in 2018 from $16 billion in 2016 and continue to drop, according to the Building Congress. The State Division of Housing … Continue reading →

More evening hours and advice to tenants on free legal counsel on notices of petition are among the Housing Court reforms endorsed by NYS Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in her State of the Judiciary speech this week, echoing the recommendations … Continue reading →