(New York, NY)- New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF, Manhattan) announced that the Governor signed two of her pro-tenant housing bills into law.

The first bill, A. 10226, amends the information that must be included on the notice placed in buildings entering foreclosure, specifically stating that the rights of rent-regulated tenants remain unchanged and requiring the phone number of the foreclosing entity’s name, address and phone number to be listed.

After two buildings in Rosenthal’s district were foreclosed upon, residents received an ambiguous notice that sparked fears they would soon face eviction, even though their rent-regulated status protects them. When panicked residents contacted Assemblymember Rosenthal’s office, she quickly secured a letter from Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Commissioner Brian Lawlor assuring tenants that their rights remain unchanged.

“Tenants had a right to be informed, but not in this clumsily executed manner that frightened people without providing any clarity,” said Assemblymember Rosenthal. “This inclusion of this basic information will transform this legally required notice from a worthless and misleading document into something that holds legitimate practical value.”

The second bill, A. 10878, prevents landlords from requiring tenants to make monthly rent payments through electronic or internet billing systems, a demand that has been used to harass and intimidate elderly and other tenants living in rent-regulated homes. Although Assemblymember Rosenthal’s office has been able to resolve these disputes at the individual level, housing advocates have been alarmed by the increasing proliferation of this tactic, and this bill was supported by both the Legal Aid Society and Legal Services of New York City.

“Internet billing systems are swift, efficient and have useful features like monthly auto-payments, but they are intimidating and inaccessible to tenants who are elderly, disabled, computer-illiterate or lack the bank and credit accounts necessary to utilize them,” said Rosenthal. “I am disgusted that landlords use mandatory electronic rent payments as a subtle form of tenant harassment against rent-controlled, stabilized or other residents who, for various reasons, may be undesirable to them. Now that my bill has been signed into law, this abuse will be illegal.”

In the Senate, A.10226 was sponsored by Majority Conference Leader John Sampson and A. 10878 was sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger.