Prohibits certain surcharges on self-installed dishwashers in housing accommodations subject to rent control

Latest action Apr 27, 2026

Prohibits surcharges on self-installed dishwashers in housing accommodations subject to rent control when the tenant pays for electric utility service.

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Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Committee

Housing, Construction And Community Development · New York State Senate

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

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.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Housing, Construction And Community Development
Senate Housing, Construction And Community DevelopmentMar 3, 2025Result: passed
(9) (2) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Robert Jackson

Democratic1

Robert Jackson

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Brian Kavanagh says this is needed

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.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Apr 27, 2026
Recommit, Enacting Clause Stricken
RECOMMIT, ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NY Senate
Jun 13, 2025
In committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Mar 5, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Mar 4, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate

Show full history (2 earlier events)

Mar 3, 2025
1ST Report CAL.428
1ST REPORT CAL.428
NY Senate
Jan 24, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 1, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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