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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 345-12
October 2, 2012

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING FINES FOR THE ILLEGALLY CONVERTING PERMANENT HOUSING TO TRANSIENT USE

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 404-A, sponsored by Council Members Brewer, Cabrera, Foster, Gentile, Koppell, Lappin, Palma, Reyna, Williams, Rodriguez, Dromm, Mealy, Mendez, Mark-Viverito, Rivera, Jackson, Dickens, Garodnick, Vann, Lander, James, Chin, Barron, Gennaro and Koo.  This legislation increases fines for illegally converting permanent housing to transient use.

“The illegal conversion of permanent housing for use by transient guests causes serious problems for permanent residents, including limiting the supply of available housing, creating unsafe living conditions, and harming neighborhood character.  In 2010, the Governor signed legislation to clarify the definitions of permanent and transient housing, to clearly define transient where a guest stays for 29 days or less. Introductory Number 404-A builds on the State law by creating a specific violation for the illegal conversion of a residential unit, and requiring that a repeat violation issued for the same unit or building be classified as an immediately hazardous violation, which carries a $1,000 to $25,000 penalty.  Increasing these penalties for illegal conversions will help to ensure that the City’s enforcement efforts are more effective.

“I would like to thank Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt, and Kathleen McGee from the Office of Special Enforcement for their work on this bill along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”







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Marc LaVorgna/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958



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