New York City will continue to sell liens based on delinquent property charges and will increase penalties to landlords who fail to provide heat and hot water, thanks to two bills Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law today.
One new law extends till 2014 the city’s authority to sell liens on delinquent tax-, water- and property-related charges, while adding the ability to sell liens of delinquent Emergency Repair Program and Alternative Enforcement Program charges for multi-family homes after a year and $1,000 in outstanding charges.
Another new law requires landlords to provide a constant water temperature of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat greater than 55 degrees when outside temperatures drop below 40 degrees, and 68 degrees when the thermometer sits below 55. Landlords are penalized $250 to $500 per day on a first violation, and $500 to $1,000 on subsequent violations if it occurs again in the same calendar year, and under the new bill, in consecutive calendar years. TRD