Approved February 9, 2021

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSING BAN ON EVICTIONS WITHOUT PROTECTION FOR LANDLORDS

 

WHEREAS; various members of the New York State Assembly, with the support of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, are promoting legislation to impose a temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures on small businesses until May 1, 2021; and

WHEREAS; temporary measures enacted as a response to the pandemic shutdowns are often extended;  and

WHEREAS; landlords and commercial property owners are hurt when they are unable to collect rent that is needed to pay property taxes and cover expenses for building maintenance, repairs, utility costs, and salaries for janitorial and other services; and

WHEREAS,  the proposed legislation makes no attempt to compensate property owners for lost revenue if rent cannot be collected and non-paying renters cannot be removed and replaced with renters who are able to pay rent; and

WHEREAS; legislative protection for entities renting property without providing similar protection for the owners of those properties constitutes, in essence, choosing sides;  and

WHEREAS; an alternative approach that provides financial assistance in paying the rent would protect both the renter and the landlord;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce opposes legislation that places a ban on evictions and foreclosures without also providing financial protection for property owners who cannot maintain properties if rent is not received.