ALBANY- This week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a new measure that allows executors of deceased tenants to cancel residential leases on their behalf. Supporters of the change say it will help ease the housing shortage facing the state and relieve estates of undue financial hardship.
Under the provisions of the new law, an executor or other legal representative of a deceased tenant is authorized to terminate the tenant’s lease upon written notice to the landlord. According to lawmakers, the bhe bill safeguards both the estate’s and the landlord’s financial security by allowing the estate to stop paying rent while requiring the estate to pay any outstanding charges owed to the building at the time of termination.
“Every New Yorker deserves access to a safe and healthy home,” Governor Hochul said. “New York has the highest percentage of renters of any state in the nation, and I’m proud to sign this legislation which will ensure tenants have additional, critical protections.”
