S1684A

The New York State Senate passed legislation to strengthen tenant protection regulations by requiring property owners to complete vacancy rate surveys accurately and consistently. Senate Print 1684A, sponsored by Sen. Hinchey, amends the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 and passed 40-18 on a roll call vote. The bill addresses what Hinchey characterized as false vacancy reporting that prevents municipalities from enacting tenant protections. She cited Kingston, where property owners reported a 6.7 percent vacancy rate, but the city's own survey found only 1.57 percent. The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act allows municipalities with vacancy rates below 5 percent to opt into stronger tenant regulations. Hinchey said the bill ensures "property owners are honest about their vacancies" and allows municipalities to access accurate data for policy decisions. Opposition centered on regulatory burden. Sen. Palumbo, voting against the measure, acknowledged the housing crisis but argued the bill represents another regulation discouraging real estate investment in New York. He contended that landlords need financial stability to build affordable housing and that additional regulations are counterproductive to that goal. Eighteen senators voted against the measure.