Suhali Méndez Urges Improvements to Disclosure of Disabled Tenants’ Rights Law

June 23, 2021

Brooklyn apartment

Suhali Méndez, a Senior Advocate in NYLPI’s Disability Justice Program, submitted comments to the New York State Commission on Human Rights regarding improvements to proposed regulations to implement New York Executive Law Section 170-d and 295.5, “Disclosure of Disabled Tenants’ Rights.” The law gives notice of tenants’ rights to reasonable modifications and accommodations in housing for tenants with disabilities, but only once every calendar year.

NYLPI supports the proposed regulations as a step in the right direction but made additional suggestions to strengthen implementation. The proposed regulations will provide important notice to both tenants and landlords in all new and renewed leases — but only around the time of signing the new or renewed lease. NYLPI urged NYSCHR to include a requirement that notices should additionally be posted in common areas of buildings, so that people can be alerted to their rights to accessible housing year-round.

Access the New York State Register here for more information.