S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7878
I N S E N A T E
February 27, 2020
___________
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 the issuance of
certificates of occupancy for rental property damaged by fire
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
235-bbb to read as follows:
§ 235-BBB. CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY; FIRE DAMAGE. 1. PRIOR TO EXECUT-
ING A RESIDENTIAL LEASE OR RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH A TENANT, THE OWNER OF
REAL PROPERTY CONSISTING OF ONE OR MORE RENTAL UNITS THAT HAS BEEN
DAMAGED BY FIRE SHALL:
(A) IF THE REAL PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN A MUNICIPALITY THAT ISSUES
CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FROM SUCH
MUNICIPALITY. SUCH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY SHALL ONLY BE ISSUED IF SUCH
REAL PROPERTY IS HABITABLE AND NO BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS ARE PRESENT.
SUCH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY SHALL ONLY BE VALID IF IT IS DATED SUBSE-
QUENT TO THE DATE SUCH PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE; OR
(B) IF THE REAL PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN A MUNICIPALITY THAT DOES NOT
ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, OBTAIN A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF
INSPECTION FROM THE BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF SUCH MUNICI-
PALITY OR AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR. SUCH STATEMENT OF
INSPECTION SHALL ONLY BE ISSUED IF SUCH REAL PROPERTY IS HABITABLE AND
NO BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS ARE PRESENT. SUCH STATEMENT OF INSPECTION
SHALL ONLY BE VALID IF IT IS DATED SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE SUCH PROPERTY
WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE.
2. PRIOR TO EXECUTING A RESIDENTIAL LEASE OR RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH A
TENANT, THE OWNER OF REAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION SHALL PROVIDE AN ACTUAL COPY OF THE VALID CERTIFICATE OF OCCU-
PANCY OR STATEMENT OF INSPECTION REQUIRED BY SUCH SUBDIVISION TO SUCH
TENANT.
3. ANY AGREEMENT BY AN OWNER OF REAL PROPERTY OR TENANT OF PREMISES
FOR DWELLING PURPOSES WAIVING OR MODIFYING HIS OR HER RIGHTS AS SET
FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE VOID AS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC POLICY.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13984-02-9
S. 7878 2
4. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE CONSIDERED
DAMAGED BY FIRE IF THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM SUCH FIRE EXCEEDS ONE THOU-
SAND DOLLARS.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law.