NY A00962

Changes the tenant protection threshold for owner occupancy evictions from 15 years to 20 years of tenancy in the same building.

Protects tenants aged 62 or older, tenants with permanent disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment, or long-term tenants (20+ years) from owner occupancy evictions unless the landlord provides equivalent or superior housing at the same or lower stabilized rent in a nearby area.

Requires that units recovered for owner occupancy cannot be rented to others for three years, with penalties including forfeiture of rent increases for three years if violated.

Allows evicted tenants to sue for damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief if landlords make fraudulent statements about intended use of the recovered unit.

Takes effect immediately and applies to all tenants in possession at the time of enactment, regardless of when the landlord's eviction application was filed.