S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                   493

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 5, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GIBSON, CRESPO, SPANO, JEFFRIES, CASTRO, BOYLAND
  -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. AUBRY, DenDEKKER, GLICK,  GOTTFRIED,
  HOOPER, PRETLOW, WEISENBERG -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on Housing

AN ACT to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to rent reduction
  in cases of submetered utility service

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The multiple dwelling  law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
section 302-d to read as follows:
  S  302-D.  PROVISIONS RELATING TO MULTIPLE DWELLINGS WITH SUBMETERING.
1. ANY TENANT RESIDING IN A BUILDING WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SUBMETERING  OF
UTILITIES SHALL RECEIVE A REDUCTION IN RENT WHICH IS EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT
OF  THE  UTILITY  COSTS FOR WHICH SUCH TENANT IS RESPONSIBLE, WHERE SUCH
COSTS WERE PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN SUCH TENANT'S RENT.
  2. THE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL SHALL, WITHIN  NINETY
DAYS  OF  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF THIS SECTION, REVIEW THE STANDARD AND
ACTUAL RENT REDUCTIONS  FOR  SUBMETERED  PROPERTIES  AND  SHALL  REQUIRE
INCREASES  WHERE  THE  DIVISION DETERMINES NECESSARY. THE DIVISION SHALL
DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR TENANTS TO APPEAL THEIR RENT REDUCTION IF IT  DOES
NOT  ACCURATELY  REFLECT  THE AMOUNT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR SUBME-
TERED UTILITIES.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.



 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD00201-01-1