City Imposes Two-Year Facade Inspecting Ban for Engineer Following December Partial Building Collapse in the Bronx

On February 22, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Buildings announced an agreement for a two-year suspension for a professional engineer to conduct facade inspections following the December 2023 partial collapse of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx. Several families lost their apartments, although there fortunately were no fatalities or serious injuries.


COMMENTARY: Creating Social Housing in the Sky

By Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and Senator Cordell Cleare

The next innovation in the pursuit of permanently affordable housing for New Yorkers can be found amongst the glistening luxury high-rise condominiums. These high-rise condominium complexes will also include the next wave of cooperatively-owned and community-controlled affordable homeownership opportunities in New York City — social housing in the sky — if our bill, the recently updated Martin Act amendment (S3566A/A6921A), becomes law.


HPD Fines Landlord $150K for Failure to Comply With Lead Laws

On January 10, 2024, the New York City Department Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced that they obtained civil penalties amounting to $150,000 against Ezriel Weinberger and affiliates for their failure to comply with lead-based paint laws across ten properties. These penalties concern lead-based paint offenses in over 790 units located across the Bronx and Manhattan. Each property incurred fines of $15,000.


Council Passes Bill to Allow for Tenant Complaints and Inspections of Unoccupied Apartments

On December 6, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int. 195-B, which creates a path for tenants to report housing maintenance code violations for unoccupied units in their buildings. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, provides a way for tenants to have their concerns addressed when conditions in unoccupied apartments are impacting tenants in other apartments. 


City Continues Push in Crackdown Against Illegal Smoke Shops

On November 27, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s latest efforts in the push against illegal smoke shops citywide. The New York City Sheriff’s Office Joint Compliance Task Force to Address Illegal Smoke contacts landlords and owners whose tenants have previously received violations for selling tobacco or cannabis products without a proper license. The task force consists of the Sheriff’s Office, the NYPD, and the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement.