ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law Wednesday requiring property owners to submit accurate precision vacancy data rates to help municipalities address the housing crisis.
The bill was introduced by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41, in January.
“Our communities face a dire lack of housing supply, and having accurate vacancy rate data that shows how many homes are available is a vital tool that can help municipalities stabilize rents in a housing crisis,” Hinchey said in a statement. “My bill was needed to close a loophole that allowed property owners to evade vacancy rate surveys, and now, the law is clear — property owners must provide accurate data when a municipality requests a survey. This measure is essential for the Hudson Valley and all New York State communities to get the data they need to tackle the housing crisis and keep residents housed and safe.”
The bill specifies that property owners must provide the latest rent rolls, and records from the past three years, if possible, upon request of the municipality.
Property owners will have to submit the documents within a time frame designated by the municipality, and non-compliance count could lead to a civil penalty of up to $500.
A non-responding owner will be presumed to have a zero percent vacancy rate.
The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection act granted municipalities with vacancy rates below five percent the authority to declare a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization, while also requiring property owners to conduct vacancy rate surveys.
However, under the previous system property owners could avoid vacancy rate surveys, and in some cases, submit inaccurate data,
Lukee Forbes, civil rights coordinator for the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, said in a statement that he was grateful for the passage of the bill.
“This pivotal legislation represents a major stride in our long-standing battle against the housing crisis, addressing the acute shortage of affordable housing that plagues our communities,” Forbes said. “By mandating accurate vacancy reporting, it empowers municipalities to make informed decisions, paving the way for more effective housing strategies in the Hudson Valley and beyond. I extend my profound gratitude to the Senate and Assembly for their commitment to this cause. This milestone brings us a step closer to ensuring every New Yorker has access to the stable, affordable housing they deserve.”