NYC bed bug disclosure bill sails through legislature: It’s up to the Governor now
A bill forcing New York City landlords to tell potential renters about bed bug infestations was approved this afternoon by both the New York State Senate and Assembly, according to Linda B. Rosenthal, the Upper West Side assemblymember who introduced the legislation this spring.
"I expected more resistance from property owners, but I think they too are just confounded by this bed bug problem," Rosenthal told BrickUnderground after the bill passed. And for renters, she said, "It's only fair if you're going to sign a one- or two-year lease that you know what has happened there in terms of health and safety."
Now the disclosure legislation heads to the Governor’s office for approval, a final step that usually takes a couple of months.
A spokesperson in Rosenthal’s office said there was no reason at this time to suspect that the Governor will veto the bill.
If the bill is signed into law by Governor Paterson, it would take effect immediately, meaning that New York City renters could be getting the inside scoop on potential bed bug trouble by August.
Next up, says Rosenthal, is getting the disclosure law expanded to the rest of the state, and looking into creating a similar tell-all law for co-ops and condos.
(Updated 4:55 p.m. with comments from Assemblymember Rosenthal.)
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