Harckham Bill That Includes Landlord Training in Neighborhood Preservation Passes in Senate

New York State Senator Pete Harckham and his colleagues in the Senate passed legislation (S.4485) that will include landlord training as part of neighborhood preservation company activities. This bill will educate and support current or prospective landlords and promote safe and responsibly managed housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

“With more and more and more residents looking into different housing options in New York, it makes sense that we work to ensure that today’s landlord—and tomorrow’s, too—are prepared for their responsibilities,” said Harckham. “Communicating with landlords and keeping them informed of legalities and best practices will help them be successful, which will also benefit tenants—and our communities.”

As part of the state’s Private Housing Finance Law, there are stipulations regarding “neighborhood preservation company activities” that help regulate the building of new edifices as well as refurbishments or additions made to older edifices. The idea is to moderate costs for residents, stabilize neighborhoods and provide employment opportunities for residents.

But our growing need for housing suggests an increase in the number of new housing units—and new landlords. With the passage of tenants’ rights reform, and the changing landscape for landlords during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a growing need to educate landlords.

Knowledge of the recent changes in procedural requirements, changes in the laws and executive orders pertaining to tenants’ rights, building codes, and a legal eviction process is crucial to ensure that tenants are not harassed or illegally removed from their homes. Many small landlords are not large enough for the income they earn in rent to be their sole source of income. Without understanding the risks and obligations inherent to the business landlords may find themselves struggling to maintain their properties.

Adding landlord training to the definition of the neighborhood preservation activities gives potential and existing landlords the valuable tools they need to be understanding and well prepared for any challenges ahead.

State Senator Harckham represents New York's 40th District, which includes the towns of Beekman, Pawling and the village of Pawling in Dutchess County; the towns of Carmel, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. 

 

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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