If you are a landlord or have an interest in the available resources on housing, the Housing Web pages are a rich source of information. The Fair Housing Laws and Fair Lending Laws make it illegal for persons looking for housing to be discriminated against; landlords can learn more about this issue on the discrimination page.
The listing an apartment section offers helpful information for tenants on this topic; landlords with available apartments may want to add a listing to this page. If the accessibility of a unit is an important feature to promote, landlords can contact the pertinent housing organizations for the disabled to list their available apartment or home and can view a database that ranks residential properties for accessible standards.
Housing Law
Many laws exist to protect tenants and landlords. This Web site provides information on Westchester's rent control and rent stabilization laws and offers tips on how to mediate and resolve disputes with a tenant. It provides facts about the code on providing heat and hot water in rental units and notes that, as of 2010, Amanda's Law requires carbon monoxide detectors in all residential buildings in New York State.
"Source of Income” Legislation
Refusing to rent to persons enrolled in programs, such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which assists tenants in the payment of rent is now prohibited by law. An amendment to Westchester County’s Fair Housing Law was passed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in June 2013 and discrimination in the sale, rental, or lease of housing based on source of income is now prohibited. This law excludes cooperative apartments, condominiums, and buildings (other than publicly-assisted housing) with fewer than six units.
Go Green
More energy efficient buildings often save money. For tips on how to make energy upgrades affordable and low-interest financing visit the NYSERDA Web site.