Legal-Advocacy
NYC Budget Gap’s Implications for the Real Estate Industry
As an industry, we must remain engaged in these discussions to ensure policies balance fiscal responsibility with a healthy and competitive real estate market.
NYC Housing Policy Update
Two recent developments at City Hall highlight the ongoing tension between housing affordability goals and policies that risk disrupting the
2025: A Pivotal Year for Real Estate Law, Policy, and Compliance
Another major federal development affecting real estate professionals was the postponement of FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule. Originally scheduled to take effect in 2025, the rule was delayed until March 1, 2026.
New York City Council Announces Leadership and Committee Appointments: What It Means for Our Industry?
At the helm is City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who will continue to shape the council’s agenda and legislative priorities.
Affordability Takes Center Stage in New York State in 2026
The governor emphasized the continued strain rising costs place on households and positioned housing production, regulatory reform and tenant protections as central tools to address those pressures.
Advocacy in Action: HGAR’s 2025 Highlights
This year’s accomplishments reflect HGAR’s continued commitment to advocacy, education and engagement.
Cold-Calling Prohibited During a Declared State of Emergency: NY GBL § 399-z, FTC Telemarketing Requirements and Broker Supervision Under Section 175.25
New York’s DOS licensing rules treat marketing and communications as part of the regulated brokerage business. Telemarketing compliance therefore connects directly to broker supervision obligations.
Advancing Co-Op Transparency and Advocacy in a Critical Week for Housing Policy
One of the key pieces of legislation discussed was Intro 1120, sponsored by Councilmember Julie Farías, that would establish clear timelines for cooperative boards to process, review, and issue decisions on co-op purchase applications.
A Season of Civic Engagement Across the Hudson Valley
HGAR’s Orange County Day featured a Legislative Power Hour with County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who addressed a packed room with his trademark energy.
Staying Engaged as the Mamdani Administration Launches its Transition Effort
New York’s housing ecosystem is at an inflection point. Affordability pressures, development bottlenecks, small-property owner challenges, regulatory changes, and aging housing stock are all converging at the same time.
What Realtors Need to Know: New Basement and Cellar Legalization Rules Released
The program could convert thousands of currently unpermitted basement units into legal Ancillary Dwelling Units (ADUs).
New York Bans Algorithmic Rent-Setting Tools: What Landlords, Property Managers, Brokers, RE Professionals Need to Know
Owners who delegate rent-setting to third-party property managers, real estate brokerage firms and brokers that also offer property management services, or owners who use national “revenue management” platforms should review and update their contracts well before the Dec. 15, 2025, effective date.