Senate Bill S7625

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7625

SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, the
emergency tenant protection act of nineteen seventy-four and the emer-
gency housing rent control law, in relation to prohibiting surcharges
for the installation or use of dishwashers in housing accommodations
subject to rent regulation

 
PURPOSE OF BILL:

Remove fees for tenant-installed dishwashers.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the administrative code of the city of New York by
adding a new section 26-418 to prohibit any surcharges for use of a
tenant-installed dishwasher where the tenant pays for electricity.

Section two amends section 6 of section 4 of chapter 576 of the laws of
              

1974, constituting the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen
seventy-four, by adding a new subdivision h to prohibit any surcharges
for use of a tenant-installed dishwasher where the tenant pays for elec-
tricity.

Section three amends section 26-512 of the administrative code of the
city of New York by adding a new subdivision h to prohibit any
surcharges for use of a tenant-installed dishwasher where the tenant
pays for electricity.

Section four amends subdivision 4 of section 4 of chapter 274 of the
laws of 1946, constituting the emergency housing rent control law, is
amended by adding a new paragraph (h) to prohibit any surcharges for use
of a tenant-installed dishwasher where the tenant pays for electricity.

Section five provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Housing expenses in New York City are a challenge for a significant
number of people, and many residents rely on rent stabilization, which
provides housing protection for millions of people. Despite the strong
need for these tenant protections, many landlords are increasing the
cost of housing by imposing non-rent fees on rent stabilized tenants for
things that often will have de minimis or even positive effect on the
landlord's expenses.

This includes fees for tenant-installed dishwashers, though dishwashers
often save water. The purported rationale for non-rent fees on appli-
ances like dishwashers is to account for the increased wear on plumbing
and electrical systems paid by landlords. However, these costs are
already taken into account by the Rent Guidelines Board as it calculates
rent increases published in the yearly Apartment/Loft Order. On a yearly
basis, fees can add up to hundreds of dollars, which is not a de minimis
cost for those living on a low income or fixed income.


In addition, studies show that dishwashers often reduce water bills as
opposed to manual hand washing. Dishwashers are designed to be more
efficient and can save water significantly compared to manual hand wash-
ing. Tenants that install a dishwasher in their home should not receive
a rent increase for something that will often save money for the land-
lord's bills. Reducing the never-ending monthly fees being charged as a
result is an important step forward in preventing dramatic increases in
the cost of living, and protecting housing for New Yorkers.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided that: (a) section
26-418 of the city rent and rehabilitation law is added by section one
of this act shall remain in full force and effect only as long as the
public emergency requires the regulation and control of residential
rents and evictions continues, as provided in subdivision 3 of section 1
of the local emergency housing rent control act; and (b) the amendments
to section 26-512 of chapter 4 of title 26 of the administrative code of
the city of New York, made by section three of this act shall expire on
the same date as such law expires and shall not affect the expiration of
such law as provided under section 26-520 of such law.