Enacts the "housing transparency act"

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic2

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Kevin S. Parker says this is needed

New York State continues to face significant housing challenges, includ- ing inconsistent reporting of rental unit occupancy, fragmented compli- ance systems, limited access to habitability information, and incomplete statewide housing data. This legislation addresses these gaps by establishing a centralized Rental Unit Compliance Registry administered by DHCR. The bill does not establish new inspection standards, nor does it supersede local build- ing, housing, or fire codes. Instead, it standardizes reporting mech- anisms to improve interagency coordination, accountability, transparen- cy, and data accuracy while preserving local authority. The legislation further modernizes administrative coordination by authorizing interoperability and integrated reporting with existing municipal systems, including those operated by HPD in New York City, where practicable. This approach reduces duplicative reporting obligations and promotes efficient use of existing housing infrastructure. Importantly, the legislation aligns eligibility for otherwise lawful rent increases with compliance under existing hazardous code require- ments and certification obligations. By conditioning rent eligibility upon correction of hazardous violations and proper registry compliance, the bill ensures that rent increases are implemented only where units meet existing habitability standards already required by law. The bill also protects responsible landlords and minimizes undue burdens by establishing separate upstate and downstate small property owner standards, expanding protections for downstate landlords owning ten or fewer units, providing cure periods before penalties, creating safe harbor protections for good-faith compliance, authorizing compliance incentives, and phasing implementation over multiple years. The legislation additionally includes safeguards against misuse of tenant reporting systems by requiring good-faith submissions, independ- ent verification before enforcement action, and protections against frivolous or materially false reporting. This balanced approach promotes transparency, housing stability, respon- sible property management, and informed public policymaking while protecting small landlords, preserving tenant rights, and supporting coordination with existing local housing systems.

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.