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A bill that was recently introduced in the New York City Council would require landlords to buy, install and maintain air conditioning units or cooling systems for their tenants.

Although 91% of the city’s households have air conditioning, roughly 350 New Yorkers die from heat-related illnesses each summer. The New York Times reports the bill applies to high-rises, walk-ups and multifamily buildings, including those owned by the city. If the bill passes, landlords will be given four years to be in compliance or face fines of up to $1,250 per day.

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Jay Martin, executive director of the Community Housing Improvement Program, a landlord organization, warned the installation costs will add extra expenses in an already-pricey housing market.

“Financial penalties are already exacerbating a high-operating-cost environment we have in New York,” said Martin, who added that about 90% of rent-stabilized apartment buildings were built before 1974 and would require expensive retrofits to ensure compliance.

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