STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4182
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 4, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and
Community Development
AN ACT to amend the real property actions and proceedings law, in
relation to inspecting, securing and maintaining vacant and abandoned
residential property
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 1308 of the real property actions
2 and proceedings law, as added by section 1 of part Q of chapter 73 of
3 the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
4 4. If the posted notice is not responded to or persists for seven
5 consecutive calendar days without contact with the borrower, property
6 owner or occupant indicating that the property is not vacant or aban-
7 doned, or if an emergent property condition that could reasonably
8 damage, destroy or harm the property arises, the servicer shall:
9 (a) in cases where the property contains two or more points of ingress
10 or egress, replace no more than one door lock to provide subsequent
11 access to the property;
12 (b) secure, replace or board up broken doors and windows;
13 (c) secure any part of the property that may be deemed an attractive
14 nuisance including, but not limited to, a water feature that could
15 create a drowning risk, refrigerator or freezer units, outbuildings,
16 wells or septic tanks;
17 (d) take reasonable measures to ensure that pipes, ducts, conductors,
18 fans and blowers do not discharge harmful gases, steam, vapor, hot air,
19 grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate waste directly upon
20 abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another
21 tenant;
22 (e) where appropriate, winterize the applicable plumbing and heating
23 systems;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00195-01-9
S. 4182 2
1 (f) provide basic utilities including, but not limited to, water,
2 electricity, natural gas, propane and sewer service, as appropriate and
3 when allowed by the local utility provider, that are needed for the
4 operation of a sump pump or dehumidifier, or when there are jointly
5 owned or shared utilities with adjoining properties or units, except for
6 turning off water service to prevent flooding or water leaks in the
7 property, or when other utility service could reasonably create a hazard
8 to the property or an unauthorized occupant or person entering the prop-
9 erty;
10 (g) remove and remediate any significant health and safety issues,
11 including outstanding code violations;
12 (h) take reasonable measures to prevent the growth of harmful mold;
13 (i) respond to government inquiries regarding property condition,
14 subject to restrictions regarding financial privacy; [and]
15 (j) ensure that the notice required to be posted in subdivision three
16 of this section remains posted on an easily accessible part of the prop-
17 erty that would be reasonably visible to the borrower, property owner or
18 occupant so long as the duty to maintain applies; and
19 (k) pay homeowners' association or cooperative fees as needed to main-
20 tain the property.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.