WHITE PLAINS – The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a bipartisan measure that will create new rules for the sale of co-op apartments in the county. The new rules are designed to make the process faster for buyers and sellers, and to help combat discrimination.
The measure goes to County Executive George Latimer for his signature.
Under the new legislation, the boards of cooperatives — which approve the sale of individual units — will have 15 days to tell buyers whether or not their applications for purchase are complete. Once an application is deemed complete, boards will have 60 days to accept or reject the application. If an application is rejected, the co-op board must send a notice of the rejection to the County’s Human Rights Commission, which has the power to investigate instances of discrimination under the County’s Fair Housing Law.
The measure, which follows months of committee-meeting discussions with buyers, sellers, realtors and representatives of co-op boards, passed by a vote of 13 to 4.
“The process of buying and selling a co-op in Westchester County today isn’t timely, it isn’t transparent, and sometimes isn’t fair,” said Legislator Christopher Johnson (D – Yonkers), one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “This new measure, when it’s signed into law, will give buyers and sellers of co-ops a time frame they can count on, so their lives aren’t stalled waiting for and wondering when a board will act. It will also give the Human Rights Commission the information it needs to act when there’s a pattern of discrimination.”
The vote was not unanimous
“Unfortunately, I could not join my colleagues in supporting the measure,” said Legislator Terry Clements. “My ‘no’ vote reflects the concerns of my constituents. I spoke with many co-op residents in my district who expressed concern that the measure could have a financial impact on co-op shareholders, possibly raising shareholder fees and increasing insurance costs for co-op boards.”
For text of the bill, the committee report and the legislative history visit: https://bit.ly/2FsPbVf
Sullivan opens new round of funding for youth programs
April 28, 2024
