ALBANY – Legislation requiring property owners to submit timely and accurate vacancy rate surveys to help municipalities address the housing crisis passed the State Senate.
Senator Michelle Hinchey’s (D, Saugerties) bill (S1684A/A6843A) clarifies that property owners must provide the most recent records of rent rolls and, if available, records from the past three years when requested by a municipality.
Under the measure, if a property owner fails to submit a vacancy rate survey, this can result in the loss of their permit of occupancy, or a civil penalty imposed by the municipality of up to $1,000. A nonrespondent owner will be deemed to have a zero-vacancy rate.
“Our communities are facing an extreme shortage of affordable housing that is perpetuating instability and displacement among our residents, and one of the most important data points that allow municipalities to pass emergency housing measures is an accurate calculation of the local vacancy rate,” Hinchey said. “My bill closes a loophole that enables property owners to evade vacancy rate surveys and clarifies that when a municipality requests one, a property owner must provide accurate and up-to-date data. This will help ensure that communities in the Hudson Valley and across New York State have the information they need to stabilize the housing crisis and protect their residents.”
The bill now goes to the Assembly for its consideration.
