NYS Fair Housing 2020

There are new rules on Fair Housing and we applaud NYS for taking the steps forward to put Fair Housing as a priority because it is important. Here are the details!

On Dec. 16, 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced new regulations (“New Fair Housing Regulations”), approved by the New York State Real Estate Board, to assist with combating housing discrimination [see https://on.ny.gov/2Wv44g5 and https://bit.ly/3bq639H]. These regulations were a direct result of the Newsdayinvestigation which rocked the real estate industry in Long Island as well as the rest of New York. These new regulations are set to go into effect on June 20, 2020 and all licensees need to be aware of these new requirements.

The New Fair Housing Disclosure: Required Form Needed To Be Signed and Documented.

Under subsection (a) of Section 175.28, “[a] real estate broker shall be responsible to ensure that each individual licensed pursuant to Article 12-A of the New York Real Property Law and associated with such broker provides to a prospective purchaser, tenant, seller, or landlord upon first substantive contact a disclosure notice furnished by the Department….” This new disclosure (the “Disclosure”) which sets forth references to relevant provisions of the New York State Human Rights Law, also provides the consumer with the necessary information as to how to file a complaint for housing discrimination. A copy of the new disclosure is located on the New York State Department of State website [see https://on.ny.gov/2Wu05Ar]. It is incumbent on the broker to ensure that their agents are provided with this new disclosure and that they provide this to all clients upon “first substantive contact.”

NYS Fair Housing Disclosure can be found here. All potential residents calling for an apartment MUST read and sign this document.