Hi all, hope you’re enjoying the last few weeks of summer and finding some time to slow down and enjoy the season. As we get ready to say goodbye to summer and welcome the beginning of fall, there are a few important things happening around NYC that homeowners should have on their radar. In this month’s NYC Homeowner Connect post, we’ve rounded up some of the latest news and updates affecting NYC homeowners, from new co-op rules and rental regulations to important reminders about protecting your home.
As always, our goal is to keep you informed about the things that matter most to you as a homeowner. We hope you find this month’s newsletter helpful, and we wish you and your family a wonderful end to summer and a great start to the fall season! 🙂
NYC Launches Program to Crack Down on Problem Landlords
New York City is stepping up its efforts to hold chronically negligent landlords accountable through a new “Fix the City” initiative. The program focuses on buildings with persistent and serious problems, including lack of heat or hot water, pests, mold, unsafe conditions, and broken elevators and gives the City additional tools to push owners to make repairs. The administration is also increasing building inspections and speeding up certain Housing Court cases so tenants don’t have to wait months or years for dangerous conditions to be addressed. For homeowners and landlords, it’s another reminder that NYC is taking a much more aggressive approach to housing-code enforcement and building maintenance.
Click here to learn more about the new program
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Lithium-ion battery sparks house fire in Woodhaven that injured half-dozen residents, one critically: FDNY
A recent house fire in Woodhaven is a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries, which are increasingly common in e-bikes, scooters, power tools, and other household devices. These batteries can overheat and ignite rapidly, particularly when damaged, improperly charged, or paired with an incompatible charger. FDNY recommends using only certified batteries and chargers, plugging devices directly into a wall outlet, avoiding overnight or unattended charging, and keeping batteries away from heat sources and anything flammable. A few simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting your home and your family.
Helpful Links:
FDNY shares lithium-ion battery safety tips following fatal Queens fire
New co-op transparency law sets application timeline requirements
Buying or selling a co-op in NYC has traditionally involved a lot of waiting and uncertainty, but a new city law is changing that. Co-op boards and management companies are now required to follow specific timelines when reviewing purchase applications. They generally have 15 days to acknowledge an application and identify any missing information, followed by 45 days to approve or deny a complete application, with limited extensions allowed. The goal is to make the process more predictable and transparent for buyers and sellers while reducing unnecessary delays. For co-op owners thinking about selling, understanding these new timelines, and making sure your application package is complete, could help make the transaction smoother. Read More
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Landlords lose appeal challenging NYC broker fee ban
A federal appeals court has upheld New York City’s FARE Act, rejecting a challenge brought by landlords, real estate brokers, and industry groups. The law, which took effect in June 2025, requires landlords to pay the broker fee when they hire a broker to market a rental, rather than passing that cost on to tenants. The court found that the law can help improve housing affordability and mobility and does not improperly restrict brokers’ ability to advertise apartments. For NYC landlords, the decision means the current rules are here to stay for now, and the added cost of rental brokerage services will need to be factored into the economics of owning and operating rental property.
From the Blog & YouTube Channel
10 Things you need to know about NYC’s ADU for You Program
What you need to Know about the Mansion Tax in NYC
Well, that’s it for this month. If you have any questions or need any real estate help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you haven’t already, check out our YouTube Channel, we’re putting up new episodes every week 🙂
https://m.youtube.com/queenshometeam