Relates to obtaining jurisdiction over certain defendants in matters relating to a tenancy or lease

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

• Democratic14

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◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Luis R. Sepúlveda says this is needed

Sections 1801 and 1803 of the various small claims court acts were amended in 2021 to allow claimants to sue current or former landlords based on where the rental property is/was located regardless of whether the landlord lives, has a job or another place of business in that locate. The new law took effect September 1, 2022. Section 1801 of the court acts defines "small claim" and the amendments add language to allow claims against landlords in the court that serves the area where the rental property was located if related to the lease or tenancy. Section 1803 concerns obtaining jurisdiction over defendants and was amended to say that if the claim against a landlord can't be sent to a known residential or place of employment address, the claim can be served via the mail to locations "where claimant may mail or otherwise deliver rent." Section 1803 of the Uniform City Court Act and the Uniform Justice Court Act reach landlords "in the county or an adjoining county where claimant may mail or otherwise deliver rent"; the Uniform District Court Act and the New York City Civil Court Act reach landlords "any place in the state. The current law differentiates between downstate and upstate tenants, such that upstate tenants are more restricted in where they can send service of process in order to sue their landlord. Under this current scheme, a tenant in Brooklyn with a landlord located in Buffalo can sue their landlord in Kings County Small Claims Court, but a tenant in Buffalo with a landlord in Brooklyn is restricted to serving them in Erie County or an adjoining county. This bill standardizes the language across the relevant Court Acts to allow tenants statewide to sue in the county where the real property is located. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:. S.6739 of 2025 (Hoylman-Sigal): Passed Senate S.6676 of 2024 (Hoylman-Sigal): Passed Senate

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.