LOCAL LAW - 2025
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A LOCAL LAW AMENDING PART IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF YONKERS, ENTITLED “BUSINESS REGULATIONS, LICENSING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION”, BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 42 THERETO, ENTITLED “RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES”.
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By: City Council President Collins-Bellamy
WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers recognizes that the promotion of fairness in the rental process is paramount to a healthy landlord-tenant relationship that benefits all parties involved; and
WHEREAS, housing is the foundation of a strong community, and an improved understanding of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants of residential rental property can therefore contribute to a healthier and more unified city; and
WHEREAS, accordingly, landlords of residential rental property would benefit from a greater understanding of how to protect their rental properties in compliance with applicable law while simultaneously nurturing a positive relationship with their tenants, and tenants would benefit from a greater understanding of their rights while residing in a rental property.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Yonkers, as follows:
Section 1. Part IV of the Code of the City of Yonkers, entitled “Business Regulations, Licensing and Consumer Protection”, is hereby amended by adding thereto a new Chapter 42, entitled “Residential Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”, to read in its entirety as follows:
§ 42-1 Findings; legislative intent.
A. The City of Yonkers finds that housing is the foundation of a strong community, and that an improved understanding of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants would contribute to a healthier and more unified city.
B. In keeping with this, the City of Yonkers determines that landlords of residential rental property would benefit from a greater understanding of how to protect their rental properties in compliance with applicable law while simultaneously nurturing a positive relationship with their tenants, and tenants would benefit from a greater understanding of their rights while residing in a rental property.
C. The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the creation of a document entitled "Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Bill of Rights and Responsibilities)", which shall spell out significant rights and responsibilities of both the landlords and tenants of residential rental properties in the City.
§ 42-2 Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.
The Director of Consumer Protection and the Commissioner of the Housing and Buildings Department, in consultation with the Corporation Counsel, shall compose a clear and concise document entitled "Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Bill of Rights and Responsibilities)," which shall spell out significant rights and responsibilities of both the landlords and tenants of residential rental properties in the City. The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities shall be derived from those sources of law and policy that the Director of Consumer Protection and the Commissioner determine to be pertinent, including, but not limited to, federal, state, and City statutes, charters, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies. Once composed, the Director and Commissioner, with the Corporation Counsel, shall review the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities not less than annually, and shall revise the document as they deem appropriate to, among other things:
A. Reflect changes to relevant laws and policies; and/or
B. Address new or previously unforeseen issues that are identified during the City's implementation of its code enforcement, nuisance prevention, affordable housing, human rights, zoning, health and sanitation, and other functions relevant to rental housing.
§ 42-3. Distribution.
The Director and the Commissioner shall ensure that copies of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities are distributed widely to landlords and tenants of residential rental property throughout the City on a regular basis, and in circumstances where Code Enforcement Bureau officers interact with landlords and tenants.
Section 2. This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of New York.