S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8154
I N S E N A T E
June 11, 2010
___________
Introduced by Sen. SQUADRON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the real property actions and proceedings law, in
relation to an action for willful neglect of residential real property
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The real property actions and proceedings law is amended by
adding a new section 854 to read as follows:
S 854. ACTION FOR WILLFUL NEGLECT OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY; TREBLE
DAMAGES. 1. IF A TENANT IS FORCED TO VACATE RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY
BECAUSE OF WILLFUL NEGLECT OF SUCH PROPERTY BY THE PERSON OR ENTITY
REQUIRED BY STATE OR LOCAL LAW TO MAINTAIN SUCH PROPERTY, HE OR SHE IS
ENTITLED TO RECOVER TREBLE DAMAGES IN AN ACTION OR COUNTERCLAIM AGAINST
SUCH PERSON OR ENTITY. IN LIEU OF TREBLE DAMAGES, AT THE TENANT'S
OPTION, THE PERSON OR ENTITY REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY MUST
RELOCATE THE TENANT TO A COMPARABLE HOUSING ACCOMMODATION IN A CLOSELY
PROXIMATE AREA THAT IS THE SAME OR LOWER RENT.
2. WILLFUL NEGLECT SHALL INCLUDE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OR LACK OF MAIN-
TENANCE RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DETERIORATION OF THE PROPERTY SUCH AS
TO RENDER IT UNINHABITABLE. WILLFUL NEGLECT MAY BE CONSIDERED WHENEVER
THERE HAS BEEN A VACATE ORDER OR ORDER FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE PROPER-
TY ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR OFFICIAL OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WILL-
FUL NEGLECT SHALL NOT INCLUDE CONDITIONS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE
PERSON OR ENTITY REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY, SUCH AS A NATURAL
DISASTER OR AN ACT OF WAR OR TERRORISM.
3. THE PERSON OR ENTITY REQUIRED BY LAW TO MAINTAIN RESIDENTIAL REAL
PROPERTY SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A PLAINTIFF IN A FORECLO-
SURE ACTION HAVING A DUTY TO MAINTAIN PROPERTY PURSUANT TO SECTION THIR-
TEEN HUNDRED SEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
4. RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY SHALL MEAN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THIS
STATE IMPROVED BY ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE THAT IS OR MAY BE USED, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, AS THE HOME OR RESIDENCE OF ONE OR MORE PERSONS, AND
SHALL INCLUDE ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE USED FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17742-01-0
S. 8154 2
5. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT PREEMPT, REDUCE OR LIMIT ANY RIGHTS OR OBLI-
GATIONS IMPOSED BY ANY STATE OR LOCAL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE AND A LOCALITY'S ABILITY TO ENFORCE THOSE LAWS.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.