Rent Law Talks Going Down to the Wire

New York 1 Cable, June 14, 1997

6/14/97

Rent laws expire in less than two days, but for now talks are on hold. The key players assembled in Albany yesterday, but were again unable to reach a compromise.

State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno says, "We're going down the main points that we have to relate to, and vacancy decontrol - no question - is the stumbling block. There is no question. We're talking about luxury limits, we're talking about succession, we're talking about...penalties don't come-up much - there seems to be general agreement on that - we're talking about rent in escro. Those are the main points we have to get resolved."

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says, "The sticking point is vacancy decontrol. It has been, and it will be because I will not allow a system where there is no room for the mdiddle class and the downstate region - and the Pataki bill creates that."

Governor Pataki says, short of a compromise, there's nothing he can do to keep the laws from expiring: "There's nothing I can do by executive order or otherwise to extend laws if they expire Sunday night."

Talks aren't scheduled to resume until tomorrow morning, to allow for Assembly Speaker Silver's observance of the Jewish Sabbath.

Now here's a look at who will be affected if rent laws expire:

• If you're in one of the 70,000 rent controlled apartments you will not be affected.

• If you're in a rent stabilized apartment and your lease runs out before October 13th, you're entitled to a new 1 or 2 year lease with a regulated rent. When that lease runs out, the apartment is deregulated.

• If you're in a rent stabilized apartment and your lease runs out after October 13th, your apartment will be deregulated at the end of your lease.

The Giuliani administration has set up two hotline numbers for residents concerned about the expiration of the laws. Tenants with harassment complants can call 1 (212) 487-6633.

Or, if you want general information about changes in rent laws, call 1 (212) 487-5858. The phones will be staffed from 6:00am until 10:00pm.

And be sure to stay tuned to New York 1 all weekend - we'll have the latest on talks in Albany, as well as more on what to expect if the rent laws expire.