More Inspections Of Suspicious Listings
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo announced that the State Senate has passed bills designed to crack down on illegal housing arrangements and elevating the theft of debit cards or credit card account numbers to felony charges.
Regarding the first bill (S.4285B), Addabbo stated that hte legislation would permit on-site inspections of suspicious advertised housing opportunities in an effort to curb against overcrowding, safety hazards and burdens on municipal resources.
“All too often, unscrupulous landlords- taking advantage of limited housing options-will advertise apartments for rent in buildings or individual housing units that are already beyond capacity,” said Addabbo. “This is dangerous and unfair to the existing building occupants, tenants who may move into overcrowded, substandard housing, and neighborhoods that may become overburdened by an increased need for resources. Slumlords shouldn’t be able to brazenly advertise illegal housing, line their pockets with rental payments and then laugh all the way to the bank.”
Specifically, the legislation would enable municipal housing authorities and tax assessors to conduct on-site inspections of residential housing that is advertised or otherwise offered for rent and that exceeds the zoning certificate of occupancy. Owners of the housing will be served with notices of violation and provided with at least seven days to prove that they are in compliance with zoning and occupancy laws, or be subject to inspections of the property.
“We can’t allow the greed of some to override the need to abide by zoning laws, decent housing standards, building codes and other regulations that help to ensure safe and habitable homes for tenants and that provide for stable neighborhoods,” said Addabbo.
According to the senator, the issue of illegally converted homes is one of the more popular complaints forwarded by constituents. Addabbo believes this legislation would protect tenants and law-abiding landlords and lift burdens on city services that result from illegal housing arrangements.
The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate and is under review by the Assembly Committee on Local Governments.
As for the second bill (S.1411), Addabbo stated that the legislation would make it a felony for anyone to steal a debit card or credit card account number regardless of whether the actual card is stolen as well.
“Identity thieves don’t have to have actual possession of a plastic debit or credit card to wreak havoc,” said Addabbo. “Many times, all they need to know is the account number in order to start buying things over the phone or going on an online shopping spree. Currently, because of a loophole in New York State law, these thieves can’t be charged with a crime unless they actually have the card itself in their possession.”
The legislation would make it clear that stealing another person’s account number with the intent to use it unlawfully, or to let another person use it illegally, would be a crime of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony.
“As technology has continued to progress, identity thieves have become more skillful when it comes to emptying out the bank accounts of others,” said Addabbo. “Unscrupulous employees may copy account numbers from sales receipts or phone orders. Cards may be entered into devices that store the account information without the knowledge of the customer. People may fall prey to giving their personal credit information out to thieves, believing they are dealing with legitimate businesses. The tricks of the identity theft trade are already abundant and growing everyday.”
Identify theft is an increasing problem, causing severe economic and often emotional distress to its victims. Bank accounts are wiped out, expensive items are bought in the name of victims, and it is often very difficult for those who have been preyed upon to untangle all of the details of the theft and stop it from continuing.
“As criminals become more techsavvy and inventive with their schemes, we need to make sure that New York State laws are up to the challenge,” said Addabbo. “This legislation should help to send a message to identity thieves that one of their favorite loopholes is going to be closed up.”
Now that it has been approved by the Senate, the legislation has been referred to the Assembly Codes Committee for consideration.
