During his State of the City address last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio pitched legalizing basement apartments citywide. That proposal hasn’t progressed much, but state officials are now taking steps to push that vision forward.
A recently introduced bill would require cities and towns throughout the state to legalize accessory dwelling units, better known as granny flats. The measure defines them as “independent living facilities” on the same lot as a single-family residence or multifamily building.
One aspect, though, might not sit well with some homeowners. The bill includes a good cause eviction provision, blocking landlords from removing a tenant from an ADU for nonpayment after even a modest rent increase.