Bill Introduced to Change Lookback Period for Overcharge Complaints

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz recently introduced a bill to change the state law when it comes to tenants who wish to file a rent overcharge complaint. Currently, tenants can request their rent history from the DHCR and file a complaint if they see their rent was increased beyond the legal limit within the last four years. Dinowitz’s bill would remove that statute of limitations, making any rent overcharge, no matter how long ago the illegal rent increase happened, a basis for a complaint.

The bill, co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, is making its way through the Housing Committee, with no equivalent in the State Senate as yet. It comes as tenant advocates and industry advocates brace for a legislative battle ahead of June, when many of New York State’s rent laws are set to expire.