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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 086-11
March 16, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING PENALTIES FOR LANDLORDS WHO FAIL TO PROVIDE HEAT AND HOT WATER FOR TENANTS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 291-A, sponsored by Public Advocate de Blasio and Council Members Brewer, Chin, Lander, Mealy, Foster, Vann, Rodriguez, Garodnick, Williams, Weprin, Mendez, Levin, Mark-Viverito, Lappin, Sanders, Rose, Palma, James, Van Bramer, Ferreras, Dromm, Jackson, Cabrera, Gonzalez, Arroyo, Gentile, Reyna, Barron, Vacca, Koslowitz, Koppell, Wills, Gennaro and Koo.  Introductory Number 291-A increases the penalty for landlords who fail to provide adequate heat and hot water to their tenants.

"In accordance with the Housing Maintenance Code and the State Multiple Dwelling Law, landlords are required to provide a certain amount of heat and hot water to all tenants of multiple dwellings and to every tenant-occupied one- or two- family dwelling.  Hot water must be provided 365 days per year between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight at a constant temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  Heat must be provided from October 1 through May 31 during a period designated as the 'Heat Season.'  During the Heat Season, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. if the temperature outside falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit then the inside temperature of the multiple dwelling must be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature of the multiple dwelling is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

"When the City receives a heat or hot water complaint, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will attempt to contact the building's owner in an effort to have the heat or hot water service restored.  If service is not restored, an HPD inspector is dispatched to the building to verify the complaint and issue the appropriate violation.  In Fiscal Year 2010, HPD issued 12,436 heat and hot water violations.

"The penalty for failing to provide heat and hot water is currently $250 - $500 per day for each initial violation until the date the violation is corrected and $500 - $1,000 per day for each subsequent violation at the same building during the same calendar year or heat season.  Introductory Number 291-A increases the time period to receive subsequent violations from one calendar year or heat season to two consecutive calendar years or heat seasons.

"I would like to thank HPD Commissioner Rafael Cestero and his staff 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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Stu Loeser/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958



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