11:13:00 | 2012-04-20
(New York City) — In recent years, Mayor Bloomberg has managed to successfully launch a campaign that bans smoking in many areas of the city. However, the mayor’s latest initiative is taking aim at New York apartment buildings.
With his latest legislation; residential buildings will be required to adopt written policies on whether smoking is prohibited or permitted in their buildings or not. The goal of this campaign is to increase the amount of non-smoking rental buildings and condominiums in the city.
Bloomberg is expected to announce the legislation soon, and the proposal will eventually force apartment buildings to dictate smoking policies on all of the areas of their buildings. This includes both indoor and outdoor spaces; meaning lobbies, private balconies, courtyard areas, individual units, pools and laundry rooms. While some buildings already have restrictions up against smoking inside rental units, the latest policy would make it impossible to smoke anywhere within a property’s premises on apartment units that wish to participate. The city-wide penalty for violating the prospective law is $100.
While this new law will undoubtedly change the New York real estate market, many New Yorkers are torn on the issue. While many find the new policy a way to decrease New Yorker’s exposure to second-hand smoke and to help New Yorkers make a more informed decision before buying or renting a unit, there are others that are opposing the bill. Many smokers, believe that the law will make it impossible for people to smoke in New York City, and believe the bill is harassment towards smoker.
No matter what the outcome on the bill is, those in the New York real estate market know that this latest campaign will significantly impact the New York market.
—Email rlorenzen@brokerpulse.com
