ADAMSDIAZDUANEHASSELL-THOMPSONKRUEGERMONTGOMERYONORATOPERKINSSAVINOSCHNEIDERMANSERRANO

Includes certain buildings, structures or portions thereof occupied for residential purposes for a period of twelve consecutive months during the period commencing January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 as the residence or home of any three or more families living independently from one another as interim multiple dwellings; extends effectiveness of provisions of the loft law.

RULESREFERRED TO RULES S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 881 2 9 2 1 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E June 1 , 2 9 ___________ Introduced by Sen. SQUADRON read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules AN ACT to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to interim multi ple dwellings in a city of more than one million persons and to amend chapter 349 of the laws of 1982, amending the multiple dwelling law relating to legalization of interim multiple dwellings in cities over one million, in relation to extending the effectiveness of such chap ter THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Section 281 of the multiple dwelling law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision to read as follows: 3 . NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS (I), (III) AND (IV) OF 4 SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, BUT SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS (I) AND (II) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION AND PARAGRAPH (II) OF SUBDIVISION TWO 6 OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "INTERIM MULTIPLE DWELLING" SHALL INCLUDE 7 BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES OR PORTIONS THEREOF THAT ARE LOCATED IN A CITY OF 8 MORE THAN ONE MILLION PERSONS WHICH WERE OCCUPIED FOR RESIDENTIAL 9 PURPOSES AS THE RESIDENCE OR HOME OF ANY TWO OR MORE FAMILIES LIVING 1 INDEPENDENTLY FROM ONE ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS 11 DURING THE PERIOD COMMENCING JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND EIGHT, AND 12 ENDING DECEMBER THIRTY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND NINE. A REDUCTION IN THE 13 NUMBER OF OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN A BUILDING AFTER MEETING THE 14 AFOREMENTIONED TWELVE CONSECUTIVE MONTH REQUIREMENT SHALL NOT ELIMINATE 1 THE PROTECTIONS OF THIS SECTION FOR ANY REMAINING RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANTS 16 QUALIFIED FOR SUCH PROTECTIONS. NON RESIDENTIAL SPACE IN A BUILDING AS 17 OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE OFFERED FOR RESIDEN 18 TIAL USE ONLY AFTER THE OBTAINING OF A RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCU 19 PANCY FOR SUCH SPACE AND SUCH SPACE SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THIS ARTICLE, 2 EVEN IF A PORTION OF SUCH BUILDING MAY BE AN INTERIM MULTIPLE DWELLING. EXPLANATION Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD 8 3 9 S. 881 2 1 S 2. Section 282 of the multiple dwelling law, as added by chapter 349 2 of the laws of 1982, is amended to read as follows: 3 S 282. Establishment of special loft unit. In order to resolve 4 complaints of owners of interim multiple dwellings and of residential occupants of such buildings qualified for the protection of this arti 6 cle, and to act upon hardship applications made pursuant to this arti 7 cle, a special loft unit referred to herein as the "loft board" shall be 8 established which shall consist of from four to nine members represen 9 tative of the public, the real estate industry, loft residential 1 tenants, and loft manufacturing interests, and a chairperson, all to be 11 appointed by the mayor of the municipality and to serve such terms as he 12 may designate. The compensation of the members of the loft board shall 13 be fixed by the mayor. The members of the loft board shall not be 14 considered employees of the state or the municipality, provided, howev 1 er, that state or municipal employees or officers may be named to the 16 loft board. The mayor shall establish the loft board within ninety days 17 of the effective date of [the act which added this article] CHAPTER 18 THREE HUNDRED FORTY NINE OF THE LAWS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO. 19 The loft board shall have such office and staff as shall be necessary to 2 carry out functions conferred upon it and may request and receive 21 assistance from any state or municipal agency or department. The loft 22 board shall have the following duties: (a) the determination of interim 23 multiple dwelling status and other issues of coverage pursuant to this 24 article; (b) the resolution of all hardship appeals brought under this 2 article; (c) the determination of any claim for rent adjustment under 26 this article by an owner or tenant; (d) the issuance, after a public 27 hearing, and the enforcement of rules and regulations governing minimum 28 housing maintenance standards in interim multiple dwellings (subject to 29 the provisions of this chapter and any local building code), rent 3 adjustments prior to legalization, compliance with this article and the 31 hearing of complaints and applications made to it pursuant to this arti 32 cle; and (e) determination of controversies arising over the fair market 33 value of a residential tenant's fixtures or reasonable moving expenses. 34 The violation of any rule or regulation promulgated by the loft board 3 shall be punishable by a civil penalty determined by the loft board not 36 to exceed one thousand dollars which may be recovered by the munici 37 pality by a proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction. The loft 38 board may NOT charge [and collect reasonable] fees in the execution of 39 its responsibilities. The loft board may administer oaths, take affida 4 vits, hear testimony, and take proof under oath at public or private 41 hearings. 42 S 3. Subdivision 1 of section 284 of the multiple dwelling law, as 43 amended by section 2 of part BB of chapter 8 of the laws of 2 2, para 44 graph (v) as amended by section 2 of part PP 1 of chapter 7 of the laws 4 of 2 8, is amended to read as follows: 46 1. (i) The owner of an interim multiple dwelling (A) shall file an 47 alteration application within nine months from the effective date of 48 [the act which added this article] CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED FORTY NINE OF 49 THE LAWS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO, and (B) shall take all reason able and necessary action to obtain an approved alteration permit within 1 twelve months from such effective date, and (C) shall achieve compliance 2 with the standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article 3 seven B of this chapter for the residential portions of the building 4 within eighteen months from obtaining such alteration permit or eighteen months from such effective date, whichever is later, and (D) shall take 6 all reasonable and necessary action to obtain a certificate of occupancy S. 881 3 1 as a class A multiple dwelling for the residential portions of the 2 building or structure within thirty six months from such effective date. 3 The loft board may, upon good cause shown, and upon proof of compliance 4 with the standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article seven B of this chapter, twice extend the time of compliance with the 6 requirement to obtain a residential certificate of occupancy for periods 7 not to exceed twelve months each. 8 (ii) An owner of an interim multiple dwelling who has not complied 9 with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this subdivision by the effec 1 tive date of [the chapter of the laws of nineteen hundred ninety two 11 which added this paragraph] CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN OF THE LAWS 12 OF NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY TWO shall hereafter be deemed in compliance 13 with this subdivision provided that such owner files an alteration 14 application by October first, nineteen hundred ninety two, takes all 1 reasonable and necessary action to obtain an approved alteration permit 16 by October first, nineteen hundred ninety three, achieves compliance 17 with the standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article 18 seven B of this chapter for the residential portions of the building by 19 April first, nineteen hundred ninety five, or within eighteen months 2 from obtaining an approved alteration permit, whichever is later, and 21 takes all reasonable and necessary action to obtain a certificate of 22 occupancy as a class A multiple dwelling for the residential portions of 23 the building or structure by October first, nineteen hundred ninety five 24 or within six months from achieving compliance with the aforementioned 2 standards for the residential portions of the building, whichever is 26 later. 27 (iii) An owner of an interim multiple dwelling who has not complied 28 with the requirements of paragraph (i) or (ii) of this subdivision by 29 the effective date of [the chapter of the laws of nineteen hundred nine 3 ty six which added this paragraph] CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED NINE OF THE 31 LAWS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY SIX shall hereafter be deemed in compli 32 ance with this subdivision provided that such owner files an alteration 33 application by October first, nineteen hundred ninety six, takes all 34 reasonable and necessary action to obtain an approved alteration permit 3 by October first, nineteen hundred ninety seven, achieves compliance 36 with the standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article 37 seven B of this chapter for the residential portions of the building by 38 April first, nineteen hundred ninety nine or within eighteen months from 39 obtaining an approved alteration permit whichever is later, and takes 4 all reasonable and necessary action to obtain a certificate of occupancy 41 as a class A multiple dwelling for the residential portions of the 42 building or structure by June thirtieth, nineteen hundred ninety nine or 43 within three months from achieving compliance with the aforementioned 44 standards for the residential portions of the building, whichever is 4 later. 46 (iv) An owner of an interim multiple dwelling who has not complied 47 with the requirements of paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of this subdivi 48 sion by the effective date of this paragraph as provided in chapter four 49 hundred fourteen of the laws of nineteen hundred ninety nine which added this paragraph shall hereafter be deemed in compliance with this subdi 1 vision provided that such owner files an alteration application by 2 September first, nineteen hundred ninety nine, takes all reasonable and 3 necessary action to obtain an approved alteration permit by March first, 4 two thousand, achieves compliance with the standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article seven B of this chapter for the residen 6 tial portions of the building by May first, two thousand two or within S. 881 4 1 twelve months from obtaining an approved alteration permit whichever is 2 later, and takes all reasonable and necessary action to obtain a certif 3 icate of occupancy as a class A multiple dwelling for the residential 4 portions of the building or structure by May thirty first, two thousand two or within one month from achieving compliance with the aforemen 6 tioned standards for the residential portions of the building, whichever 7 is later. 8 (v) An owner of an interim multiple dwelling who has not complied with 9 the requirements of paragraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this subdivi 1 sion by the effective date of this paragraph as provided in chapter 11 eighty five of the laws of two thousand two shall hereafter be deemed in 12 compliance with this subdivision provided that such owner filed an 13 alteration application by September first, nineteen hundred ninety nine, 14 took all reasonable and necessary action to obtain an approved alter 1 ation permit by March first, two thousand, achieves compliance with the 16 standards of safety and fire protection set forth in article seven B of 17 this chapter for the residential portions of the building by May first, 18 two thousand ten or within twelve months from obtaining an approved 19 alteration permit whichever is later, and takes all reasonable and 2 necessary action to obtain a certificate of occupancy as a class A 21 multiple dwelling for the residential portions of the building or struc 22 ture by May thirty first, two thousand ten or within one month from 23 achieving compliance with the aforementioned standards for the residen 24 tial portions of the building, whichever is later. 2 (vi) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS (I) THROUGH (V) OF 26 THIS SUBDIVISION THE OWNER OF AN INTERIM MULTIPLE DWELLING MADE SUBJECT 27 TO THIS ARTICLE BY SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE OF 28 THIS ARTICLE (A) SHALL FILE AN ALTERATION APPLICATION WITHIN NINE MONTHS 29 FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND NINE 3 WHICH AMENDED THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, AND (B) SHALL TAKE ALL REASONABLE AND 31 NECESSARY ACTION TO OBTAIN AN APPROVED ALTERATION PERMIT WITHIN TWELVE 32 MONTHS FROM SUCH EFFECTIVE DATE, AND (C) SHALL ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH 33 THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION SET FORTH IN ARTICLE SEVEN B 34 OF THIS CHAPTER FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THE BUILDING WITHIN 3 EIGHTEEN MONTHS FROM OBTAINING SUCH ALTERATION PERMIT OR EIGHTEEN MONTHS 36 FROM SUCH EFFECTIVE DATE, WHICHEVER IS LATER, AND (D) SHALL TAKE ALL 37 REASONABLE AND NECESSARY ACTION TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AS 38 A CLASS A MULTIPLE DWELLING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THE BUILDING 39 OR STRUCTURE WITHIN THIRTY SIX MONTHS FROM SUCH EFFECTIVE DATE. THE LOFT 4 BOARD MAY, UPON GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, AND UPON PROOF OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE 41 STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION SET FORTH IN ARTICLE SEVEN B OF 42 THIS CHAPTER, TWICE EXTEND THE TIME OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT 43 TO OBTAIN A RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR PERIODS NOT TO 44 EXCEED TWELVE MONTHS EACH. 4 (VII) An owner who is unable to satisfy any requirement specified in 46 paragraph (ii), (iii), (iv) [or], (v), OR (VI) of this subdivision for 47 reasons beyond his/her control, including, but not limited to, a 48 requirement to obtain a certificate of appropriateness for modification 49 of a landmarked building, a need to obtain a variance from a board of standards and appeals, or the denial of reasonable access to a residen 1 tial unit as required by paragraph [(x)] (XI) of this subdivision, may 2 apply to the loft board for an extension of time to meet the requirement 3 specified in paragraph (ii), (iii), (iv) [or], (v), OR (VI) of this 4 subdivision. The loft board may grant an extension of time to meet a requirement specified in paragraph (ii), (iii), (iv) [or], (v), OR (VI) S. 881 1 of this subdivision provided that the owner demonstrates that he/she has 2 made good faith efforts to satisfy the requirements. 3 [(vii)] (VIII) If there is a finding by the loft board that an owner 4 has failed to satisfy any requirement specified in [paragraphs] PARA GRAPH (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) [and], (v), OR (VI) of this subdivision, 6 such owner shall be subject to all penalties set forth in article eight 7 of this chapter. 8 [(viii)] (IX) In addition to the penalties provided in article eight 9 of this chapter, if there is a finding by the loft board that an owner 1 has failed to satisfy any requirement specified in [paragraphs] PARA 11 GRAPH (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) [and], (v), OR (VI) of this subdivision, a 12 court may order specific performance to enforce the provisions of this 13 article upon the application of three occupants of separate residential 14 units, qualified for the protection of this article, or upon the appli 1 cation of the municipality. 16 [(ix)] (X) If, as a consequence of an owner's unlawful failure to 17 comply with the provisions of [paragraphs] PARAGRAPH (i), (ii), (iii), 18 (iv) [and], (v), OR (VI) of this subdivision, any residential occupant 19 qualified for protection pursuant to this article is required to vacate 2 his or her unit as a result of a municipal vacate order, such occupant 21 may recover from the owner the fair market value of any improvements 22 made by such tenant and reasonable moving costs. Any vacate order issued 23 as to such unit by a local government shall be deemed an order to the 24 owner to correct the non compliant conditions, subject to the provisions 2 of this article. Furthermore, when such correction has been made, such 26 occupant shall have the right to re occupy his or her unit and shall be 27 entitled to all applicable tenant protections of this article. 28 [(x)] (XI) The occupants of a building shall, upon appropriate notice 29 regarding the timing and scope of the work required, afford the owner 3 reasonable access to their units so that the work necessary for compli 31 ance with this article can be carried out. Access shall also be 32 afforded, upon reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of inspecting 33 and surveying units as may be required to comply with the provisions of 34 this article and article seven B of this chapter. Failure to comply with 3 an order of the loft board regarding access shall be grounds for 36 eviction of a tenant. 37 S 4. Subdivision 2 of section 28 of the multiple dwelling law, as 38 amended by chapter 466 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as 39 follows: 4 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, an owner may 41 apply to the loft board for exemption of a building or portion thereof 42 from this article on the basis that compliance with this article in 43 obtaining a legal residential certificate of occupancy would cause an 44 unjustifiable hardship either because: (i) it would cause an unreason 4 ably adverse impact on a non residential conforming use tenant within 46 the building or[,] (ii) the cost of compliance renders legal residential 47 conversion infeasible. Residential and other tenants shall be given not 48 less than sixty days notice in advance of the hearing date for such 49 application. If the loft board approves such application, the building or portion thereof shall be exempt from this article, and may be 1 converted to non residential conforming uses, provided, however, that 2 the owner shall, as a condition of approval of such application, agree 3 to file an irrevocable recorded covenant in form satisfactory to the 4 loft board enforceable for fifteen years by the municipality, that the building will not be re converted to residential uses during such time. 6 The standard for granting such hardship application for a building or S. 881 6 1 portion thereof shall be as follows: (a) the loft board shall only grant 2 the minimum relief necessary to relieve any alleged hardship with the 3 understanding if compliance is reasonably possible it should be achieved 4 even if it requires alteration of units, relocation of tenants to vacant space within the building, re design of space or application for a non 6 use related variance, special permit, minor modification or administra 7 tive certification; (b) self created hardship shall not be allowed; (c) 8 the test for cost infeasibility shall be that of a reasonable return on 9 the owner's investment not maximum return on investment; (d) the test 1 for unreasonably adverse impact on a non residential conforming use 11 tenant shall be whether residential conversion would necessitate 12 displacement. Such hardship applications shall be submitted to the loft 13 board within nine months of the establishment of the loft board (or, in 14 the case of interim multiple dwellings referred to in subdivision four 1 of section two hundred eighty one of this [chapter] ARTICLE, within nine 16 months of the effective date of [that] SUCH subdivision FOUR OR IN THE 17 CASE OF INTERIM MULTIPLE DWELLINGS MADE SUBJECT TO THIS ARTICLE BY 18 SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE OF THIS ARTICLE, 19 WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH SUBDIVISION FIVE), but 2 shall not be considered, absent a waiver by the loft board, unless the 21 owner has also filed an alteration application. In determination of any 22 such hardship application, the loft board may demand such information as 23 it deems necessary. In approving any such hardship application, the loft 24 board may fix reasonable terms and conditions for the vacating of resi 2 dential occupancy. 26 S . Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (ii) and paragraph (iii) 27 of subdivision 2 of section 286 of the multiple dwelling law, subpara 28 graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (ii) as amended by section 3 of part BB 29 of chapter 8 of the laws of 2 2 and paragraph (iii) as amended by 3 chapter 414 of the laws of 1999, are amended to read as follows: 31 (A) Upon the owners' filing of an alteration application, as required 32 by paragraph (ii), (iii), (iv) [or], (v), OR (VI) of subdivision one of 33 section two hundred eighty four of this article, an adjustment equal to 34 six percent of the rent in effect at the time the owner files the alter 3 ation application. 36 (B) Upon obtaining an alteration permit, as required by paragraph 37 (ii), (iii), (iv) [or], (v), OR (VI) of subdivision one of section two 38 hundred eighty four of this article, an adjustment equal to eight 39 percent of the rent in effect at the time the owner obtains the alter 4 ation permit. 41 (iii) Any rent adjustments pursuant to paragraph (ii) of this subdivi 42 sion shall not apply to units which were rented at market value after 43 June twenty first, nineteen hundred eighty two and prior to June twen 44 ty first, nineteen hundred ninety two. THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY 4 TO UNITS MADE SUBJECT TO THIS ARTICLE BY SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION TWO 46 HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE OF THIS ARTICLE. 47 S 6. Subdivision 3 of section 286 of the multiple dwelling law, as 48 added by chapter 349 of the laws of 1982, is amended to read as follows: 49 3. Upon or after compliance with the safety and fire protection stand ards of article seven B of this chapter, an owner may apply to the loft 1 board for an adjustment of rent based upon the cost of such compliance. 2 Upon approval by the loft board of such compliance, the loft board shall 3 set the initial legal regulated rent, and each residential occupant 4 qualified for protection pursuant to this article shall be offered a residential lease subject to the provisions regarding evictions and 6 regulation of rent set forth in the emergency tenant protection act of S. 881 7 1 nineteen seventy four, except to the extent the provisions of this arti 2 cle are inconsistent with such act. [At such time, the owners of such 3 buildings shall join a real estate industry stabilization association in 4 accordance with such act.] S 7. Section 3 of chapter 349 of the laws of 1982, amending the multi 6 ple dwelling law relating to legalization of interim multiple dwellings 7 in cities over one million, as amended by section 1 of part PP 1 of 8 chapter 7 of the laws of 2 8, is amended to read as follows: 9 S 3. Effective date and termination. This act shall take effect imme 1 diately. The provisions of this act and all regulations, orders and 11 requirements thereunder shall terminate at the close of the calendar day 12 May 31, [2 1 ] 2 14. 13 S 8. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the amend 14 ments to sections 281, 282, 284, 28 and 286 of article 7 C of the 1 multiple dwelling law made by sections one through six of this act shall 16 not affect the repeal of such article and shall be deemed repealed ther 17 ewith, pursuant to section 3 of chapter 349 of the laws of 1982, as 18 amended. BILL NUMBER: S 881 TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to interim multiple dwellings in a city of more than one million persons and to amend chapter 349 of the laws of 1982, amending the multiple dwelling law relating to legalization of interim multiple dwellings in cities over one million, in relation to extending the effectiveness of such chapter PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : The purpose of this bill is to extend provisions of the Loft Law to buildings which have been occupied residentially for 12 consecutive months during the period starting January 1, 2 8 and ending December 31, 2 9. SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : This bill would: * amend the definition of "interim multiple dwelling" to include buildings occupied for residential purposes for 12 consecutive months during the period starting January 1, 2 8 and ending December 31, 2 9, and extend existing Loft Law protections to tenants in these buildings; * require that non residential space in such buildings be offered for residential use only after the obtaining of a residential certificate of occupancy for such space and require that such space be exempt from this article; * prohibit the Loft Board from charging fees in the execution of its responsibilities; * require owners of such interim multiple dwellings to (a) file an alteration application within 9 months from the effective date of this bill, (b) take all reasonable and necessary action to obtain an approved alteration permit within 12 months, (c) achieve compliance with the standards of safety and fire protection within 18 months of obtaining the alteration permit or 18 months from the effective date, whichever is later, and (d) take reasonable and necessary action to obtain certificate of occupancy as a class A multiple dwelling for the residential portions of the building within 36 months; * authorize the Loft Board, upon good cause shown, to twice extend the time of compliance with the requirement to obtain a residential certificate of occupancy for periods not to exceed 12 months each; * allow owners of such buildings to apply to the Loft Board for an exemption of a building from this article, if the owner can show it would cause an unjustifiable hardship, within 9 months of the effective date of this bill; * deletes provisions requiring owners of loft buildings to join a real estate industry stabilization association; * provides that these interim multiple dwellings become subject to the emergency tenant protection act of 1974 after they are legalized; and * extends the Loft Law to May 31, 2 14. EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER : This bill would amend Sections 281, 282, 284, 28 , and 286 of the Multiple Dwelling Law. JUSTIFICATION : During a recent Assembly Housing Committee hearing on loft building legalization, loft residents who attended overwhelmingly showed their support for the extension of existing Loft Law provisions to loft buildings, particularly in Brooklyn, which were occupied after the date established in the Multiple Dwelling Law. The extension of the loft law will facilitate constructive relationships between tenants and loft building owners through the loft board, protect tenant's rights and any structural improvements they make or have made to their neighborhoods, as well as provide building owners with a reasonable timeline to make required building modifications. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : A.2717 A/2 4 Passed Assembly. A.2717/2 3 Passed Assembly. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS : This bill assumes the continued operation of the Loft Board. EFFECTIVE DATE : Immediately.