NY State Senate Bill 2013-S6113B

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Judiciary Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 19, 2014	print number 6113b
Jun 19, 2014	amend and recommit to judiciary
Apr 28, 2014	amend by restoring to original print 6113
Mar 25, 2014	amend and recommit to judiciary
Jan 08, 2014	referred to judiciary
Mar 25, 2014	print number 6113a

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S6113 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8262
Current Committee:: Senate Judiciary
Law Section:: Real Property Law
Laws Affected:: Add §234-a, RP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2015-2016: S3591, A1156
2017-2018: S2377, A1089
2019-2020: S3358, A2623
2021-2022: S2014, A5040

2013-S6113 - Summary

Prohibits lessors or agents thereof from assessing a lessee any fee for legal services in connection with any operation or rental of a residential unit unless the lessor has the legal authority to do so.

2013-S6113 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S6113

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the real property law, in relation to
legal fees

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill would prohibit a landlord
from including any legal fees not awarded pursuant to a court order on
any correspondence to a tenant

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the real property law by adding a new section 234-a
that would prohibit a landlord from charging or including any fee,
surcharge, or other assessment for legal services in connection with
any billing or correspondence with a tenant unless the landlord has
the legal authority to do so pursuant to a court order.

Section 2 sets the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION: Nearly half of all New Yorkers live below or close to
the poverty line. Accordingly, it is critical that New York City has
protections in place to safeguard its residents' basic necessities,
one of the most important of which is housing. With an average rent of
over 51,000 in the City, programs that reduce the rent burden are
essential. One important example is New York City's system of rent
stabilization, which provides a variety of tenant protections to over

2 million people.

Despite the high need for these tenant protections, many landlords are
increasing the cost of housing, by imposing non-rent fees on rent
stabilized tenants. One major example, and the focus of this bill, is
a fee or surcharge for legal services. Landlords do not have legal
authority to impose a legal fee unless: a) The tenant's lease has a
clause that allows the landlord to seek such fees; b) The tenant is
sued by the landlord in a court and; c) Either a judge has ordered a
tenant to pay the legal fees or the tenant has agreed to pay the fee
in a court approved agreement.

Most of the time, landlords add these surcharges without meeting any
of the above conditions. A. recent survey of rent stabilized tenants
indicates that 56% were charged a legal fee in the last year and on
average, the fee exceeded 1,000 dollars: Many tenants feel forced to
pay these fees because they fear eviction. This bill is necessary to
protect low-income tenants in New York City and ensure that they are
not being charged more than they legally owe for rent, This extra cost
raises rents and makes rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments
unaffordable for many New Yorkers.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: This is a New Bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  None to the State.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately

{1) The Burden of Fees: How Affordable Housing is Made Unaffordable."
Community Action fox Safe Apartments and the Community Development


Project, September 2013. http://www.cdp-ny. org/xeoort/The Burden of
Fees FINAL.pdf

2013-S6113 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  6113

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 8, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. ESPAILLAT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary

AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to legal fees

  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
234-a to read as follows:
  S  234-A. UNAUTHORIZED LEGAL FEES. A LANDLORD SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM
CHARGING OR INCLUDING ANY FEE, SURCHARGE OR OTHER ASSESSMENT  FOR  LEGAL
SERVICES  IN  CONNECTION WITH ANY BILLING OR OTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH A
TENANT UNLESS THE LANDLORD HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO PURSUANT  TO
A COURT ORDER.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.







 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11887-02-3

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S6113A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8262
Current Committee:: Senate Judiciary
Law Section:: Real Property Law
Laws Affected:: Add §234-a, RP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2015-2016: S3591, A1156
2017-2018: S2377, A1089
2019-2020: S3358, A2623
2021-2022: S2014, A5040

2013-S6113A - Summary

2013-S6113A - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S6113A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the real property law, in relation to
legal fees

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would prohibit a landlord from including any legal fees not
awarded pursuant to a court order on any correspondence to a tenant

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the real property law by adding a new section 234-a
that would prohibit a landlord from charging or including any fee,
surcharge, or other assessment for legal services in connection with
any billing or correspondence with a tenant unless the landlord has
the legal authority to do so pursuant to a court order.

Section 2 sets the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

Nearly half of all New Yorkers live below or close to the poverty
line. Accordingly, it is critical that New York City has protections
in place to safeguard its residents' basic necessities, one - of the
most important of which is housing. With an average rent of over

51,000 in the City, programs that reduce the rent burden are
essential. One important example is New York City's system of rent
stabilization, which provides a variety of tenant protections to over
2 million people.

Despite the high need for these tenant protections, many landlords are
increasing the cost of housing, by imposing non-rent fees on rent
stabilized tenants. One major example, and the focus of this bill, is
a fee or surcharge for legal services. Landlords do not have legal
authority to impose a legal fee unless: a) The tenant's lease has a
clause that allows the landlord to seek such fees; b) The tenant is
sued by the landlord in a court and; c) Either a judge has ordered a
tenant to pay the legal fees or the tenant has agreed to pay the fee
in a court approved agreement.

Most of the time, landlords add these surcharges without meeting any
of the above conditions. A. recent survey of rent stabilized tenants
indicates that 56% were charged a legal fee in the last year and on
average, the fee exceeded 1,000 dollars: Many tenants feel forced to
pay these fees because they fear eviction. This bill is necessary to
protect low-income tenants in New York City and ensure that they are
not being charged more than they legally owe for rent, This extra cost
raises rents and makes rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments
unaffordable for many New Yorkers.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a New Bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:


None to the State.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately

(1) The Burden of Fees: How Affordable Housing is Made Unaffordable."
Community Action fox Safe Apartments and the Community Development
Project, September 2013. http://www.cdp-ny. org/xeoort/The Burden of
Fees FINAL.pdf

2013-S6113A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 6113--A

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 8, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. ESPAILLAT, SERRANO -- read twice and ordered print-
  ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary  --
  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
  recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to legal fees

  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
234-a to read as follows:
  S 234-A. UNAUTHORIZED LEGAL FEES. A LANDLORD SHALL BE PROHIBITED  FROM
CHARGING  OR  INCLUDING ANY FEE, SURCHARGE OR OTHER ASSESSMENT FOR LEGAL
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY BILLING OR OTHER CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  A
TENANT UNLESS THE LANDLORD HAS BEEN GRANTED THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO
BY A COURT ORDER.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.







 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11887-03-4

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8262
Current Committee:: Senate Judiciary
Law Section:: Real Property Law
Laws Affected:: Add §234-a, RP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2015-2016: S3591, A1156
2017-2018: S2377, A1089
2019-2020: S3358, A2623
2021-2022: S2014, A5040

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S6113B

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the real property law, in relation to
legal fees

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill would prohibit a landlord
from including any legal fees not awarded pursuant to a court order on
any correspondence to a tenant.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the real property law by adding a new section 234-a
that would prohibit a lessor or agent thereof from charging or
including any fee, surcharge, or other assessment for legal services
in connection with the operation or rental of a residential unit
unless the lessor has the legal authority to do so pursuant to a court
order Any agreement or assessment to the contrary shall be void as
contrary to public policy.

Section 2 sets the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION: Nearly half of all New Yorkers live below or close to
the poverty line. Accordingly, it is critical that New York City has
protections in place to safeguard its residents' basic necessities,
one of the most important of which is housing With an average rent of
over 51,000 in the City, programs that reduce the rent burden are

essential. One important example is New York City's system of rent
stabilization, which provides a variety of tenant protections to over
2 million people.

Despite the high need for these tenant protections, many landlords are
increasing the cost of housing, by imposing non-rent fees on rent
stabilized tenants. One major example, and the focus of this bill, is
a fee or surcharge for legal services Landlords do not have legal
authority to impose a legal fee unless: a) The tenant's lease has a
clause that allows the landlord to seek such fees; b) The tenant is
sued by the landlord in a court and; c) Either a judge has ordered a
tenant to pay the legal fees or the tenant has agreed to pay the fee
in a court approved agreement.

Most of the time, landlords add these surcharges without meeting any
of the above conditions. A recent survey of rent stabilized tenants
indicates that 56% were charged a legal fee in the last year and on
average, the fee exceeded 1,000 dollars. Many tenants feel forced to
pay these fees because they fear eviction This bill is necessary to
protect low-income tenants in New York City and ensure that they are
not being charged more than they legally owe for rent, This extra cost
raises rents and makes rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments
unaffordable for many New Yorkers.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: This is a New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  None to the State.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately


{1} The Burden of Fees: How Affordable Housing is Made Unaffordable,
Community Action for Safe Apartments and the Community Development
Project, September 2013 http://www cdp-ny org/report/The Burden of
Fees FINAL pdf

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 6113--B

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 8, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. ESPAILLAT, DIAZ, HASSELL-THOMPSON, HOYLMAN, PARKER,
  PERKINS, SERRANO -- read twice and ordered printed, and  when  printed
  to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary -- committee discharged,
  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as amended and recommitted to said
  committee

AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to legal fees

  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
234-a to read as follows:
  S 234-A. UNAUTHORIZED LEGAL FEES. A LESSOR OR AGENT THEREOF  SHALL  BE
PROHIBITED  FROM  ASSESSING A LESSEE ANY FEE, SURCHARGE OR OTHER CHARGES
FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OR RENTAL OF A RESI-
DENTIAL UNIT UNLESS THE LESSOR HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO PURSUANT
TO A COURT ORDER. ANY AGREEMENT OR ASSESSMENT TO THE CONTRARY  SHALL  BE
VOID AS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC POLICY.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.






 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11887-07-4

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Senate Bill S6113B

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Judiciary Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113 - Details

2013-S6113 - Summary

2013-S6113 - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113A - Details

2013-S6113A - Summary

2013-S6113A - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Details

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Judiciary Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113 - Details

2013-S6113 - Summary

2013-S6113 - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113A - Details

2013-S6113A - Summary

2013-S6113A - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Details

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2013-S6113B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments