Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has expressed his outrage over the inability to reach an agreement on rent regulations in the City.
“I am disappointed by the inability of political leadership in Albany to agree on the much-needed strengthening our city’s rent regulations,” he said.
“Even more, I am dismayed by the uncertainty and fear that may be experienced by tenants residing in about 300,000 impacted apartment units across Brooklyn,” he added.
“The State must act swiftly to pass new retroactively-applied rent regulations and it must seize this moment to enact important reforms, including vacancy decontrol,” he continued.
Adams said Brooklynites living in rent-regulated apartments still have legal rights, including protection for their duration of their lease.
“I ask anyone experiencing harassing, threatening, or otherwise dangerous behavior from their landlord to call my Constituent Assistance Center at (718) 802-3777,” he said.
“As I have noted previously, I will consider taking legal action any and all cases of bad-acting landlords in Brooklyn,” he warned.
Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams agreed with Adams on tenants’ rights.
“Landlords are not allowed to evict you without going to court, existing leases will remain in effect, and renewal leases will continue to be accepted,” said the representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.
“If you live in a rent controlled apartment (not rent stabilized), you will be protected by the New York City laws which will not expire until 2018,” Williams said.
With the help of Public Advocate Letitia James and Comptroller Scott Stringer, he said the City has established hotlines for tenants to call and receive free legal advice.
“Affordable housing is a right worth fighting for — a right that I have strongly advocated for in Albany, and was even arrested for during a civil disobedience in front of Governor Cuomo’s office,” Williams said.
“Remember, the city is on your side. If you receive court papers or are being threatened or harassed by your landlord because the rent laws have expired, call the Public Advocate’s hotline at 212-669-7250 or the Comptroller’s Community Action Center at 212-669-3916, where staff can advise you or can get you an attorney if needed,” he added.
