New York Bill A10356B…otherwise known as the Bed Bug Disclosure Bill went into effect in New York City in September as planned.  This much anticipated bill requires New York City rental property owners or landlords to provide information to prospective renters about any bed bug infestation history for the previous year before they sign a residential lease.  The idea behind the new legislation is that New Yorkers should be given information about any ongoing bed bug infestation problem, or past problem, so that they can make an educated choice as to whether they want to live in that particular property.

State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal proudly sponsored the bed bug bill which was signed into law by Governor Paterson.   When Assemblywoman Rosenthal originally drafted the bill, both condo and co-op sales were excluded from the wording because apartment owners and real estate brokers objected to the inclusion.  But because co-op buyers purchase shares in the co-op and do receive a lease from the co-op board that entitles them to live in the apartment, co-op apartments are not exempt from the new legislation under the new guidelines.  Condos on the other hand are exempt because they are structured differently then co-ops are.

Despite her previous intentions, Assemblywoman Rosenthal now thinks that the language that affects New York City co-ops is a good for both buyers and sellers.  According to “The Wall Street Journal” she stated “I am glad that as many people have access to this protection as possible. It is an epidemic here. Every day there is a new revelation.”  

Despite her previous intentions, Assemblywoman Rosenthal now thinks that the language that affects New York City co-ops is a good for both buyers and sellers.  According to “The Wall Street Journal” she stated “I am glad that as many people have access to this protection as possible. It is an epidemic here. Every day there is a new revelation.”   Naysayer’s may be crying foul, but doesn’t everyone have the right to know if they have the potential of living with bed bugs?  The wording on the legislation should stay as it is!  Perhaps if the same legislation applied to homes that are being sold, more people would eradicate bed bugs thereby keeping infestations down.