May 24, 2025

New York Apartment Law Insider

New York Apartment Law Insider
City Agency Proposes Updates to Window Guard Rules
May 23, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently proposed an update to its window guard regulations. The proposed rules include updated language and technical requirements intended to better protect children in a city where window types and safety technologies have evolved. If finalized, the new rules would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, replacing the entirety of current Chapter 12 of the city’s Health Code.

Management Basics
DOB Launches 2025 No-Penalty Inspection Program with Earlier Start Date
May 21, 2025
Management Basics
By Eric Yoo
The Department of Buildings has brought back its annual No-Penalty Inspection Program for summer 2025. The program offers penalty-free safety inspections to small landlords across New York City. For 2025, the program runs from May 19 through June 30, a shift from prior years when it ran from late June through July.
In the News
NYC Water Board to Consider 3.7% Rate Increase for FY 2026
May 20, 2025
In the News
By Eric Yoo
Owners should prepare for another increase in water and sewer charges, although the proposed hike for Fiscal Year 2026 is smaller than in recent years. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has put forward a 3.7 percent increase, which, if approved by the NYC Water Board, would go into effect on July 1, 2025.
In the News
City Pursues First Lawsuit Under Local Law 18 Against Short-Term Rentals
May 19, 2025
In the News
By Eric Yoo
The case may serve as a precedent for future enforcement.
Feature
Mitigating E-Bike Fire Risks: The Benefits & Costs of Installing an Outdoor Charging Cabinet
Apr 24, 2025
Feature
By Eric Yoo
The city has opened the application process for a new program that offers owners a way to reduce fire hazards while providing an amenity for tenants. We go over the details of charging and swapping cabinets that may be installed adjacent to buildings and the specifics of the formal application process.

Feature

Mar 28, 2025
By Eric Yoo
The May 1 Compliance Crunch Deadline: What You Need to File and Install
As May 1 approaches, owners face a dense lineup of compliance deadlines tied to the city’s push for safer, greener buildings. Four separate local laws, some newly in force and others ongoing, all share the same due date. This year marks the first mandatory reporting date under Local Law 97, the city’s sweeping climate legislation targeting building emissions. At the same time, owners must meet existing requirements under Local Laws 84 and 88, including energy benchmarki...
Feb 26, 2025
By Eric Yoo
How to Collect Higher Monthly Surcharges for Tenant-Installed Appliances
New monthly surcharges take effect immediately, and the state housing agency will apply them in all currently pending cases in which the owner is seeking a surcharge for one of these tenant-installed appliances. It’s important to note that the surcharge policy applies only to washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. No surcharges can be imposed for other tenant-installed appliances such as refrigerators or garbage disposals.
Jan 29, 2025
By Eric Yoo
DHCR Updates Reasonable Cost Schedule for MCIs
The list of improvements and installations that may qualify as an MCI has been expanded.
Dec 23, 2024
By Eric Yoo
What You Need to Know About NYC’s Fair Chance for Housing Act
New rules take effect for performing criminal background checks on applicants.
Nov 14, 2024
DHCR Issues Individual Apartment Improvements Bulletin

Apr 22, 2025
By Eric Yoo
File Real Property Income & Expense and Storefront Registry Statements by June 2
The NYC Department of Finance requires certain owners of residential properties to file the Real Property Income & Expense Statement (RPIE) every year. The DOF uses the information from this filing to value your property accurately for the upcoming tax year. If you miss the filing deadline, the penalty is up to 5 percent of your property’s actual assessed value.
Mar 26, 2025
By Eric Yoo
Department of Buildings Clarifies Boiler Inspection Rules
We go over who qualifies to perform inspections, explain what’s involved in the inspection process, and provide details on the deadlines and penalties tied to noncompliance.
Feb 24, 2025
By Eric Yoo
New Online Portal Streamlines Lead Exemption Applications
Filing for a lead-based paint exemption will ensure you get the benefits of having lead-paint-free spaces that are no longer subject to some of the Local Law 1 requirements.
Feb 23, 2025
By Eric Yoo
How to Submit Applications for Updated J-51 Tax Relief Program
Owners can now use J-51 for energy-efficient upgrades that support Local Law 97 compliance.
Jan 27, 2025
By Eric Yoo
DOF Publishes FY 2026 Tentative Assessment Roll
Brooklyn experienced the largest market value percent increase for Class 2, at 9.4%.

Jun 14, 2023
The Legislature's Continued Assault on the Real Estate Industry
By Niles C. Welikson and Jillian N. Bittner
In its latest attempt to violate the Regina ruling, the Legislature has proposed retroactively changing the method for calculating rents in apartments affected by the Roberts ruling.
Jun 5, 2023
By Andrew I. Bart Esq.
Height and Weight Join the Long List of Protected Classes
New York City recently enacted a bill that adds two new additions to the lengthy list of protected classes under the New York City Human Rights Law. The law, which will go into effect on Nov. 22, 2023, makes it illegal to discriminate against an apartment buyer, renter, job applicant, independent contractor, or current employee based on the person’s perceived weight and height.
New York City joins six other cities and one state that passed similar legislatio...
Feb 27, 2023
Housing Court Post-Pandemic: Plagued by Delays
By Todd I. Nahins, Senior Partner, Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins and Goidel, P.C.
The last time I wrote on the state of the Housing Court was over four years ago; I was not happy with the delays in obtaining trial dates and the length of time in which the judges took to render their decisions. Now I long for those days.
Sep 22, 2021
How to Apply the Rent Guidelines When ERAP Is Accepted
If you’re accepting ERAP funds, you must abide by certain terms.
Apr 22, 2021
How DHCR Awards Tenants Attorney's Fees in Overcharge Cases
Among the many amendments made to New York’s rent stabilization laws by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) were new provisions making attorney’s fees mandatory for tenants represented by counsel who make successful rent overcharge claims. At the same time, there is no provision in the amended laws for an owner to recover attorney’s fees in the event that it successfully defends against an overcharge claim. As amended, Rent ...