BK Senator's New Bill Aims To Improve Housing Court Case Process

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn senator introduced a new bill last weekend that creates a “fast lane” for small landlords and tenants to have their housing cases resolved within 120 days.

Senator Iwen Chu's bill would establish the Housing Court Efficiency Legal Process (HELP) and address the current system backlog as well as providing relief to small landlords and tenants who have spent years in court.

“Small landlords and tenants can’t spare the resources it takes to languish in court–sometimes for years–in order to resolve their cases. Many of the small landlords in my district rely on one property and a few tenants as supplemental income, and lose tens of thousands of dollars while navigating housing court," Chu said during a April 13 press conference.

For tenants impacted by unfair housing practices, the wait to get their case heard could be just as costly and damaging, Chu added.

“Small landlords who depend on rental income to meet mortgage payments are the most vulnerable to the time it presently takes to resolve a landlord-tenant case," Tonya Ores, CEO of NHS Brooklyn CDC, a nonprofit housing counseling organization, said in a statement.

Ores also said tenants should not have to endure harassment and unhealthy living conditions while waiting for a court decision.

"This legislation would rightfully prioritize these equally vulnerable groups and ensure they get a timely decision on their case," Chu said.

Chu represents New York’s 17th State Senate District, which includes the neighborhoods of Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Kensington.