UTICA, N.Y. — Legislation to protect affordable housing tenants from absentee landlords has passed the New York State Senate.
According to New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, the bill was introduced after cases in Oneida County where an out-of-state company failed to pay water bills, putting hundreds of residents at risk of water shutoffs and displacement.
The bill requires all out-of-state organizations that own affordable housing properties in New York to maintain an escrow account to cover utility costs and property taxes.
A similar bill has been introduced in the Assembly.
“We have seen recent instances where out-of-state businesses purchase large residential properties and leave them in disrepair or do not pay for water and other important utilities. This creates an unsafe and potentially dangerous environment for residents, which are often senior citizens or those in need,” Griffo said.
Griffo said, “The owners of these properties need to know that this practice of buying up these buildings and neglecting them and those who live in them is not acceptable. This legislation will protect tenants and prevent them from potentially being displaced due to careless property owners who are not based in New York.”
Legislation to protect affordable housing tenants from absentee landlords has passed the New York State Senate.