Mayor Signs Bill Extending Protection to Commercial Tenants

On Sept. 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Local Law 98. Sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, this law amends Local Law 55 of 2020, which temporarily prevents the enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial lease or rental agreements involving tenants impacted by COVID-19.              

Local Law 98 extends the sunset date of this protection from Sept. 30, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Council Member Rivera advocated for extending the bill to protect small businesses during the middle of a pandemic. In support of the bill, Council Member Rivera stated, “We’re still in the midst of a public health and economic crisis, and it’s critical we continue to protect and uplift the small business[es] who are vital to our communities. No small business owner should have to close their store or risk losing their life savings because their landlord is threatening to enact their personal liability clause in the middle of a pandemic.”