Assemblyman Lentol Announces Signing of Bill to Protect Tenants from Landlord Harassment
Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Fort Greene) announced Tuesday that a bill he introduced and passed as lead sponsor was signed by Governor Cuomo. The bill establishes the crime of harassment of a rent-regulated tenant where the landlord creates a disruptive, hazardous or uninhabitable condition in order to force tenants out of their home (Lentol-A6188/ Krueger-S2605). It is in response to a high volume of cases in Lentol’s district where tenants were harassed by unscrupulous landlords who went to extraordinary lengths to force tenants out of their homes.
“Harassment that forces a tenant to move out of their homes is unacceptable. Many tenants in my district have suffered unimaginable harassment by landlords under the guise of necessary repairs, heat being turned off in the winter months, or cooking gas purposely not being connected. This bill takes a hard stance against landlords who put profit over people,” said Lentol.
The harassment of tenants in order to force them out so the landlord can raise the rent has been a rampant problem in North Brooklyn. This bill creates a new misdemeanor tenant harassment offense and expands the existing felony definition to eliminate the need to prove physical injury to a rent-regulated tenant and a landlord’s specific intent to cause physical injury.
“This bill will help protect tenants who have been innocent victims of both unscrupulous landlords and an ineffective penal law statute. I thank Attorney General Letitia James for her leadership on this issue and applaud Governor Cuomo for signing this bill that will go a long way to protect tenants from landlord harassment and help individuals and families stay in their homes,” concluded Lentol.
BP Adams Participates in Major Homelessness Awareness Initiative
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosted his annual Interfaith Breakfast at Borough Hall Tuesday, a gathering with religious leaders from throughout Brooklyn to discuss how the government can partner with the faith community to improve the borough and the city.
At the breakfast, Borough President Adams announced that he will be participating in a major homelessness awareness initiative, and urged faith leaders to expand their existing efforts in supporting our neighbors in need. More than 60,000 New Yorkers are currently homeless, the highest number since the Great Depression.
Louis and Bichotte to Host Community Housing Forum
City Council Member Farah Louis (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood) and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Midwood) are hosting a Community Housing Forum. Housing is one of the top priorities in Council District 45 as more families are struggling to pay rising rents while fighting back against tenant harassment and illegal evictions.
This forum will be a one-stop-shop where renters, homeowners, veterans, and seniors can learn about their rights, opportunities to save money, and how to prevent fraud. There are programs that offer free legal advice and services that can help protect your home against deed theft; freeze your rent if you are a senior or person with disabilities; and apply for the affordable housing lottery.
Several City agencies and community-based organizations will hold workshops and share valuable information at the forum. Attendees will have the opportunity to apply for affordable housing, census jobs, and learn about programs that can save you money and keep you safe.
The Community Housing Forum is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at P.S. 152K, 725 E. 23 Street in South Midwood.
Political Clubs to Host Screening of “Rigged”
The Unified Political Association, Brooklyn Young Democrats, and New Kings Democrats are offering a free screening of “Rigged” The Voter Suppression Handbook. Special guest, Tim Smith, Executive Producer of “Rigged” will attend and share his vision of why this film is one of the most important and insightful of our day.
If you are a registered voter, care about our democracy, protecting voter rights, want fair and inclusive elections, then you don’t want to miss this one. Friends and family are encouraged to attend.
Watch “Rigged” from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., today, Dec. 4 at 450 Clarkson Avenue, Lecture Hall 2 in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
