City Council Expands the Definition of ‘Harassment’

The City Council recently passed Councilmember Jumaane Williams’s bill, Intro 1721-A. The bill expands the definition of “harassment” to include to include knowingly providing any false or misleading information to any resident of an apartment, making multiple false violation certifications, or materially misrepresenting the regulatory status or occupancy of a building on a permit application.

The bill intends to prevent owners from using construction projects in an attempt to force tenants from their homes, and from lying about that construction or about the safety of a unit. If signed into law by the mayor, this local law will take effect 120 days after it becomes law. The commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development may take measures as necessary for its implementation, including promulgating rules, before the effective date.