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Bill

S 3870

Prohibits the eviction of small commercial tenants in the city of New York without good cause

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Prohibits eviction of NYC small commercial tenants without good cause, boosting business stability and clarifying eviction standards for landlords, tenants, and courts.

REFERRED TO CITIES 1
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Bill Summary · S 3870

Summary of S 3870 — Prohibits the eviction of small commercial tenants in the city of New York without good cause

Overview

S 3870 is a New York Senate bill introduced on January 30, 2025, titled “Prohibits the eviction of small commercial tenants in the city of New York without good cause.” The bill is currently in the committee stage, having been referred to the Cities 1 committee on the introduction date. No subsequent actions have been recorded in the provided timeline beyond the initial referral.

Intent and scope

  • The central aim is to shield small commercial tenants in New York City from eviction absent a defined standard of “good cause.”
  • The measure seeks to provide greater stability for small businesses operating in NYC by limiting arbitrary or unsubstantiated evictions and establishing a framework for when eviction actions may proceed.

Key provisions (as described by the bill’s title and status)

  • Prohibition on evicting small commercial tenants without good cause within New York City.
  • The bill will define what constitutes “good cause” and set forth the procedural criteria that must be satisfied for an eviction action to be pursued. The precise definitions, exemptions, and enforcement mechanisms will be contained in the bill’s full text.
  • Likely to address related processes such as notice requirements, potential remedies or defenses, and possible exceptions (e.g., lease expirations, non-renewals authorized by contract, or other lawful grounds). However, the exact provisions are not detailed in the information provided.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Small commercial tenants operating within New York City.
  • Secondary: Commercial landlords and property owners who lease space to small businesses, as well as attorneys and courts handling eviction proceedings in commercial cases.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Cities 1 (committee) on January 30, 2025; no further action documented in the provided materials.
  • The bill’s progress, including hearings, amendments, and votes, will occur within the committee and floor debate as it moves (or does not move) toward enactment.

Related bills (historical context)

  • S 7902, S 428, and S 1954 are listed as prior-session related bills, suggesting ongoing or similar efforts in prior legislative sessions to address commercial eviction or related tenant protections.

Potential impact

  • Positive: Increased stability for small businesses, reduced risk of abrupt displacement, and clearer standards for eviction decisions in NYC.
  • Negative or uncertain: Could impose higher costs on landlords, influence rent-setting or leasing strategies, or affect property market dynamics depending on final text and enforcement.

Next steps

  • Monitor for the bill’s text to understand the exact definitions of “good cause,” exceptions, enforcement, and any fiscal or administrative implications.
  • Track committee actions (hearing dates, amendments) and eventual floor votes to determine likelihood of enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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