Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Brooklyn Pols Call on Community's Support for Bill to Protect Homeowners

State Senator Montgomery and Assemblymember Wright co-sponsored a bill that requires homeowners to be notified about constructions on neighboring properties to protect their homes from potential damages.
State Senator Montgomery, BK Reader

State Senator Montgomery and Assemblymember Wright co-sponsored a bill that requires homeowners to be notified about constructions on neighboring properties to protect their homes from potential damages.

State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Assemblymember Tremaine Wright are calling on their constituents to support the Adjoining Construction Notification Bill, a legislation that would require the New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) to provide written notification to property owners when an application for approval of construction on an adjoining property is submitted.

State Senator Montgomery

The bill was introduced after the collapse of a Brooklyn building which was adjacent to a construction site, and which left several people injured and fourteen homeless. The engineers and contractors who worked on the new construction were unaware that the adjoining building had several vertical cracks which caused the collapse.

"In light of the record construction boom taking place in Brooklyn and New York City, this bill will help to safeguard our neighbors and strengthen our communities," said Wright.

Particularly for property owners of older buildings such as brownstones, a neighboring construction or renovation project can cause substantial and expensive property damage. They are often at a loss on what to do and who to contact to get repairs made. According to Montgomery, this legislation will empower them with the information necessary to pursue damages and get needed repairs done.

"In neighborhoods across our city, homes are being gut renovated every day and condos are going up in the middle of brownstone blocks," said Montgomery. "My constituents, many of whom are seniors, worked hard to afford their homes. When their property is damaged by developers, information is scarce and accountability is elusive. This legislation would empower homeowners before construction begins right next door to them and make it easier for them to navigate this process."

The construction notification bill passed in the state legislature in June 2018. Now, the two lawmakers are calling on the support of the community to get the bill signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo who has until Friday, August 24 to approve or veto this bill.

"We urge you all to call 518 -474-8390 or email Governor Cuomo and ask him to sign this important piece of legislation into law," said Wright and Montgomery in a statement.




Comments