By Sarah Al-Shaikh SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Before June 14, Syracuse tenants only had 11 days from the day landlords demanded the rent until eviction. Now, they have 38.
This is because of the new Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. It’s those type of changes that will be discussed at the Renter’s Rights 101 Event.
Onondaga County Public Library and the Volunteer Lawyers Project teamed up to inform residents about changes from this new tenant protection law.
Mark Allnatt, Programming and Outreach Coordinator for the Onondaga County Public Library, stressed how relevant this event is for the thousands of Syracuse and Onondaga County renters.
“The volunteer attorneys that are presenting the information want to get the word out to people to let them know these significant changes in their rights,” said Allnatt.
Laura Rolnick, the attorney presenting at the event, described this new law as, “shifting the balance of power.”
She hopes, “it’ll improve the housing stability in Syracuse,” however she’s also aware of some concerns about the new law.
While tenants are better protected under this law, Rolnick brought up how some landlords are struggling.
“A lot of landlords are quite upset about it. I heard some that are concerned about whether they’ll make ends meet.”
A month after the new law passed, the Community Housing Improvement Program, Rent Stabilization Association and seven landlords filed a lawsuit challenging the new law, arguing it violates their constitutional rights.
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, the Renter’s Rights 101 Event is open to all at the Onondaga County Public Library, August 6, 2019, from 12:00-1:30 pm.
