S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2198
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 14, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Real Property Taxation
AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to fees landlords may
charge tenants
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The real property law is amended by adding a new section
220-a to read as follows:
S 220-A. APPLICATION FEES. 1. WHEREVER USED IN THIS SECTION:
A. "APPLICATION FEE" MEANS ANY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE OR CREDIT
CHECK CHARGE OR SIMILAR CHARGE THAT A POTENTIAL TENANT MUST PAY OR IS IN
ANY WAY REQUESTED TO PAY TO A LANDLORD IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR
RENTAL OR LEASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY OR PORTION THEREOF USED FOR RESI-
DENTIAL PURPOSES.
B. "POTENTIAL TENANT" MEANS ANY PERSON WITH AN INTENTION TO LEASE OR
RENT ANY REAL PROPERTY OR PORTION THEREOF FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES,
EXCLUDING POTENTIAL TENANT SHAREHOLDERS OF COOPERATIVE HOUSING CORPO-
RATIONS.
C. "LANDLORD" MEANS ANY OWNER, MANAGING AGENT OR PRIME LESSOR OF REAL
PROPERTY OR ANY REAL ESTATE BROKER, PROVIDED, THAT THIS SECTION SHALL
NOT LIMIT THE FEE THAT CAN BE LAWFULLY CHARGED BY SUCH BROKER IF THE
POTENTIAL TENANT ENTERS INTO A LEASE OR OCCUPIES REAL PROPERTY FOR RESI-
DENTIAL PURPOSES AS A RESULT OF THE BROKER'S SERVICES.
2. A LANDLORD MAY CHARGE A POTENTIAL TENANT AN APPLICATION FEE EQUAL
TO THE ACTUAL COST OF A CREDIT CHECK OR OTHER RELATED SERVICES PAID FOR
BY A LANDLORD TO A THIRD PARTY, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TOTAL OF
SUCH FEE OR FEES SHALL NOT EXCEED THIRTY DOLLARS.
3. WHERE A LANDLORD CHARGES APPLICATION FEES IN VIOLATION OF THIS
SECTION, A POTENTIAL TENANT MAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER
PROTECTION BOARD. UPON A FINDING BY THE BOARD THAT A LANDLORD HAS
VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE BOARD SHALL IMPOSE A FINE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06247-01-1
A. 2198 2
OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A FIRST OR SECOND VIOLATION AND A FINE OF TWO
HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR A THIRD OR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.