Apartment Owners Must Prove They Don’t Harass Tenants

The owners of apartment buildings now have to prove that they haven’t been harassing their residents before City officials approve plans to demolish or significantly alter their buildings. A new law, passed Nov. 30, 2017, expands the “Certificate of No Harassment” program, already in place in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood since 1974.

“For some unscrupulous landlords in New York City, harassing tenants is part of the business plan. Once a tenant is driven out, a landlord can make significant renovations or demolish and rebuild and then dramatically raise rents,” said New York City Council Member Brad Lander.

At buildings subject to the program, housing officials interview current and former residents, potentially leading to a hearing before a judge at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. If the judge determines harassment has occurred within the last five years, the owner will be denied building permits for five years and must agree to include affordable units.

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