Slumlords getting you down? Welcome to New York City. We live in the most amazing city in the United States while at the same time have the most pathetic landlord tenant laws in the nation. Nowhere else in this country are landlords allowed to prey upon citizens as they do in our great city. Landlords are not only allowed to rent properties that are below basic safety standards, but they're not forced to bring their buildings up to code OR even pay their outstanding fines, which at this point total 1.5 BILLION dollars. We the people are left to fend for ourselves or use DHCR, a process of endless paperwork that takes years with little or no resolve. This abuse is allowed to continue due to the lack of regulations regarding those who provide housing.  In short, we need to license landlords!! You can't give someone a pedicure without a license,  YET it's cool to provide the homes that people live in? That dog don't hunt, thus The New York City Housing Rental Licensing Ordinance was born. This Ordinance would be enforced by the New York City Housing Rental Licensing Enforcement Commission.  One agency that would ensure that your landlord is on the up and up BEFORE you move in. 

* The owner of any rental dwelling unit or rooming unit cannot legally collect rent without having the required license.

* An owner cannot proceed with an eviction without the required license.

*An owner who fails to comply with the New York City Housing Rental Licensing requirements cannot legally collect rent or proceed with an eviction until in compliance.
 
* An owner will not obtain a license until the building is up to current City Housing and Fire Safety Codes and must be FREE of violations or fines owed our City. 

* Landlord has fourteen days from when a tenant vacates the apartment to either return the security deposit OR make a claim. If said claim is not made during the fourteen day period, landlord loses right to make a claim and must return the deposit in full. 

Read the Ordinance by following the link below. 

http://licenselandlordsnyc.blogspot.com/2015/08/new-york-city-housing-rental-licensing.html

If you feel that landlords should be licensed, sign and pass this petition to every New Yorker you know, then give your City Council Member a call. The link the  City Council is below. 
http://council.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml