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.
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.
More government overreach.
Yes maybe we should stock their refrigerator and provide washer dryer hot rub jacuzzi
AC units are portable and can be purchased online and delivered to your door, or you can buy them at box stores nationwide. Anyone who wants one can buy one and take it with whenever they move. This feels like government overreach to mandate private owners to supply AC units. Housing authorities can offer tenant vouchers for AC units for those who meet set income criteria.
A landlord who won’t provide air conditioning in NYC is a slumlord. Sell the property.
Landlords are making a ton of money on rentals in NY! They should be held accountable for the lack of cooling and heating in their rentals!
Just looked up a tax bill on a 2 unit apartment building in your city, it was $38,0000 DOLLARS yes you read that right ! But those stingy landlords just making all that money $38,000 = ‘s over $3,000 a month to the government then insurance , then loan payment and how dare rhey want rent to cover the cost . I have the best idea I think everyone should have to buy thier own house and pay all that themselves and let’s see ihow that works out .
Four years to be in compliance? How about four days!
For those who think this is government overreach, I do not think so. I guess the law that requires auto Insurance is a government overreach as well. It’s probably so to you until you are on the other side of the fence. Provision of air conditioning and heating in rental unit is very basic requirement that does not and should not have needed a governmental mandate. This is a requirement in the state of Georgia, where I am a real estate professional and a leasing manager.
I like the idea but it seems like they’re doing it for the illegal aliens. All these years they just passed that now? Maybe I’m wrong?