LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: The Emotionally Exhausting Dog Days of Summer

As if the heat was not bad enough, this political season has done anything but cool off. I do not need to remind you how extreme and stormy the last few weeks have been in politics. From an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump to Vice President Kamala Harris taking the Democratic Nomination for President, I would be remiss to rehash or put my spin on everything that has happened. It's been a whirlwind of political chaos and tension lately, and honestly, if I am this emotionally exhausted, being someone who deals with politics for a living, I can’t imagine what this summer has been like for others.

That being said, let’s talk about what matters. We live and work in one of the most desirable places to reside in the country. Regardless of who wins in November, people have and will always want to buy and sell property in this region. From the days of New Amsterdam, King George, to today, the real estate market has never stopped because of who happened to be in charge at any given moment. So, let’s do a spot check on some of the public policy movements in our corner of the world.

For New York City and those who do business there, I am happy to announce that the Government Affairs Department at HGAR will be facilitating the first ever New York City Lobby Day on Oct. 23rd. In collaboration with the Long Island Board of Realtors, both organizations will be converging on City Hall to speak to our City Council members about our issues.

Like our traditional Lobby Day in Albany, the success of this event depends on member support. It is our hope that given the opportunity of pre-arranged meetings with City Council members and their staff, HGAR and LIBOR members will be able to bring the same level of advocacy and success to New York City that we bring to Albany every year. This is an exercise in civics and is aimed to expand our image in the minds of our City Council members. There will be more details to follow, but please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.

Something else that is city-related but has the potential to radiate outward is the “City of Yes” Proposal. This issue proposed by Mayor Eric Adams aims to modernize and update the city’s zoning regulations to support small businesses, create affordable housing and promote sustainability. The City of Yes is currently being discussed with the City Council, with Borough Presidents showing mixed levels of support. The issue is still very much up for debate as the proposal brings all zoning into question in New York City. Namely, one of the specific issues that is a sticking point is the elimination of parking mandates and the possible effect that might have on transportation and traffic. This matters beyond the city as this is a significant effort that brings attention to the topic of zoning in general. If you look at most of the municipalities in New York State, you will find that their zoning laws are decades old if not as old as New York City’s zoning laws. Time will tell how this issue shakes out.

An example of an issue that radiated from the city is the topic of Good Cause Eviction that is now being discussed throughout the Hudson Valley. You may remember that Good Cause Eviction was passed in the New York State Legislature earlier this year. As a reminder, Good Cause Eviction mandates landlords to extend lease renewal offers to tenants who consistently fulfill their rental obligations and abide by the terms stipulated in their previous lease agreements. Additionally, it empowers renters to contest rent hikes exceeding 10%, or 5% plus the consumer price index, whichever is lower.

New York City was automatically opted into the program. For the rest of New York State, it has been left up to the municipalities themselves to deal with Good Cause Eviction. Certain exemptions are included in the legislation for NYC, notably a provision allowing owners with 10 or fewer units spread across multiple properties to be exempted from the regulation. This exemption for NYC is not set in stone for municipalities outside of the city. Meaning, a municipality can set the provision from 10 units or fewer to one unit or fewer. Essentially every landlord would be included in Good Cause Eviction. Places like Albany, Newburgh and Rochester have already taken steps in this direction. Again, time will tell how this conversation percolates in each locality. Some areas that seem to be rushing toward adopting Good Cause Eviction are unaware or unwilling to even discuss the topic. Regardless, HGAR and NYSAR are monitoring the budding situation and keeping our members informed.

In closing, think local. National politics is important. At times it can and should take up all the air in the room. But, we all must realize just how much politics takes from our peace and effectiveness. You can find all the politics and civics you could ever want on a local level. Regardless of whether it is the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning, come November and the months beyond, there will be houses to sell and legislation to push. We will find both victory and challenges to our industry. And, if I have anything to say about it, I plan to be right here, writing, working, and commenting on our own local civic ups and downs.