LOCAL LAW NO. "C" FOR 2024
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK CRIMINALIZING RENTAL FRAUD
Introduced: 2/12/24
By Fein, Efekoro and Pedo:
A Local Law creating Chapter 189 of the Code of the County of Albany, entitled Housing, and Article 1 of such Chapter, entitled Rental Property Fraud Protection, to criminalize the rental of real property by persons with no legal interest in the property.
BE IT ENACTED by the Albany County Legislature as follows:
Section 1. Chapter Creation.
Chapter 189, Housing, is hereby created.
Chapter 189, Article I, Rental Property Fraud Protection, is hereby created.
Section 2. ? 189-1, Title.
This Local Law shall be known as the "Albany County Rental Fraud Protection Law."
Section 3. ? 189-2, Legislative Intent.
The Albany County Legislature finds that deceptive schemes related to fraudulent property rental listings are on the rise.
The New York State Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Trade Commission have alerted the public to rental fraud schemes in which scammers deceptively pose as property owners seeking to rent out properties to residents and those who rent short-term apartments and spaces in the County.
These schemes often involve victims sending money or sensitive personal information to scammers posing as landlords through listings for rental properties that either do not exist or are not owned by the scammers in any capacity. The victims of rental fraud are often vulnerable people in need of housing.
Criminalizing the rental of residential and commercial properties by individuals who have no ownership interest in a parcel or authority from the owner to rent or lease the property is necessary to protect renters in Albany County.
Section 4. ? 189-3, Definitions.
"Person" is defined as any natural individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, or organization of any kind...
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