The New York City Council Democrats’ bill would force landlords to promote incumbent operators
Far-left city council members want Big Apple landlords to do their jobs for them — or face five-figure fines.
A new bill would require property owners to provide tenants with contact information for all elected officers representing their respective neighborhoods.
According to the bill introduced by last week Jennifer Gutiérrez, Brooklyn City CouncilwomanLandlords would be required to provide new and existing tenants with paper notices listing the names, office addresses, and telephone contacts of all federal, state, and city police officers representing their neighborhoods.
All the information is already available through the Electoral Board, other government agencies and a simple internet search.
“The idea is to give tenants a chance to learn how to access information,” Gutiérrez told The Post. “I think a lot of people might interpret that as if we’re urging tenants to file complaints [against landlords], and that is not the case. This is really about making sure every tenant has access to the resources they should.”
The progressive Democrat also claimed that many of her constituents in Williamsburg and other parts of north Brooklyn don’t have internet access.
Critics called the move another anti-landlord tactic used by the far-left bloc in the council.
“Landlords should not be burdened with teaching civics or informing renters about their representatives,” said Queens City Councilman Robert Holden, a moderate Democrat. “It’s time to put an end to this excessive nanny state and end the City Council’s Politburo mandates.”
He and other critics also questioned whether the Know Your Rep Bill. is promoted to raise awareness of incumbents during an election year.
“What a waste of laws. You have no contact with the families in your district.” tweeted the Berry Street Alliance.
“@CMGutierrez uses landlords to promote the incumbents and advertise for free – such a move by the New Kings Democrat,” the North Brooklyn Block Association Group added, referring to the burgeoning progressive club it supports.
Fines are not explicitly listed in the law, but infringements are according to city law Civil penalties of up to $10,000 are applicable for “minor misdemeanors” and $25,000 for “major misdemeanors”. The extent of the offense would be determined at the discretion of the HPD Commissioner.
“I understand why some people say, ‘What? A $10,000 fine for a small owner?’ That’s a lot,” added Gutiérrez, who said she was ready to address landlord concerns and potentially seek a reduction in fines. “I totally understand that, but the idea is that we expect landlords to be more considerate when renting to others.”
Early co-sponsors include a trio of the council’s most anti-police politicians: Queens’ Tiffany Caban and Brooklyn’s Shahana Hanif, both Democratic Socialists, and Lincoln Restler, a far-left Brooklyn councilman.
Jay Martin, who runs the small landlord advocacy group, Community Housing Improvement Program, tore up the bill. tweet “It obliges the state to make property owners responsible, and it doesn’t make any significant improvements in the lives of tenants.”
“But don’t worry, if I get my way, every single tenant will know exactly who their elected official is and what they’re doing to make their housing conditions worse,” he quipped.
“Another step in pushing small landlords out of #NYC – and a future where tenants have only the choice between corporate landlords and #NYCHA.” tweeted another advocacy group, NY Small Landlords. “The advantage for the council member: It’s a nifty way to make voters dependent.”
The mayor’s office said it was reviewing the bill but declined to comment further.
