NYS Department of State Extends Public Comment Deadline For Cease and Desist Programn to October 31st

New York State Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) today urged any and all homeowners affected by intense and repeated solicitations from real estate brokers to provide evidence in writing to the New York State Department of State in order to continue to keep all of Queens county as a cease and desist zone.

The Department of State has indicated that not enough evidence exist to keep the designation in the future.  Padavan’s call comes as the Department of State (DOS) has extended the decision and public comment deadline until October 31st, 2009 in order for more evidence to be submitted to the Department of State.

 “The decreased number of complaints can be attributed to the fact that the cease and desist program has been very effective in Queens county,” Padavan said. “To do away with the entire county designation will only lead back to the days when over-the-top and intense real estate solicitations were all too prevalent in communities throughout Queens. Clearly based on this fact, it would be very beneficial to continue this designation and ward off annoying real estate brokers and salesperson who invoke pressure tactics in their solicitations to put homes on the market. Let your voice be heard and let’s keep the cease and desist designation going.”

Under the cease-and-desist program, licensed real estate brokers and salespersons are prohibited from soliciting listings of residential properties from homeowners who appear on the list. All of Queens County is deemed a cease-and-desist zone by the New York Department of State. 

 Queens homeowners wishing to share their experience with intense and pressured real estate solicitations should contact the Department of State in writing. All correspondence can be sent to Aquil Quershi at the New York Department of State, 123 William Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 100038.