Cal. Civ. Code § 282-A
Applications for coverage of interim multiple dwellings and residential units
Operative Text
§ 282-a. Applications for coverage of interim multiple dwellings and residential units. 1. Where any occupant has filed an application for coverage pursuant to this article and has received a docket number from the loft board, it shall be unlawful for an owner to cause or intend to cause such occupant to vacate, surrender or waive any rights in relation to such occupancy, due to repeated interruptions or discontinuances of essential services, or an interruption or discontinuance of an essential service for an extended duration or of such significance as to substantially impair habitability of such unit, at any time before the loft board has made a final determination, including appeals, to approve or deny such application. This section shall not grant any rights of continued occupancy other than those otherwise granted by law. Any agreement that waives or limits the benefits of this section shall be deemed void as against public policy. In addition to any other remedies provided in this article for failure to be in compliance, in article eight of this chapter, or in the regulations promulgated by the loft board, an occupant who has filed an application with the loft board for coverage under this article may commence an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction, which notwithstanding any other provision of law shall include the housing part of the New York city civil court, to enforce the provisions of this section. 2. It shall be unlawful for any owner to interrupt, deny, or discontinue essential services, or to impair the habitability of an interim multiple dwelling unit or building. In addition to any remedies provided under this article, regulations promulgated by the loft board, or any other law or regulation governing the housing standards, any occupant of an interim multiple dwelling may commence an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction which, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall include the housing part of the New York city civil court, to enforce the provisions of this section. Any agreement that waives or limits the benefits of this section shall be deemed void as against public policy.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 282-A establishes two related protections for occupants of interim multiple dwellings (loft buildings). First, once an occupant has filed a coverage application with the Loft Board and received a docket number, an owner is prohibited from using repeated or extended interruptions of essential services as a means of pressuring that occupant to leave or give up rights—and this prohibition holds until the Loft Board issues a final determination on the application, including any appeals. Second, regardless of whether a coverage application is pending, owners of interim multiple dwellings are broadly prohibited from interrupting, denying, or discontinuing essential services or impairing habitability. Any private agreement that attempts to waive or limit these protections is void as a matter of public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 282-A, operators of interim multiple dwellings are expected to maintain uninterrupted essential services at all times—both during any pending Loft Board coverage proceedings and as a general ongoing obligation. A compliant owner ensures that heat, hot water, and other essential services are not interrupted in ways that substantially impair habitability, and does not use service disruptions as a tool to influence occupancy decisions. Because any contractual clause purporting to waive these requirements is void as against public policy, owners generally avoid including such language in lease or occupancy agreements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 282-A gives occupants of interim multiple dwellings the right to essential services free from owner-caused interruptions, and provides additional protection against service disruptions once a Loft Board coverage application has been filed and a docket number received. If an owner appears to be violating these protections, an occupant may file a complaint with the New York City Loft Board, raise the violation in a housing court proceeding, or commence an action directly in the housing part of the New York City Civil Court, which is explicitly authorized to hear such claims under this section. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid providers familiar with loft law can help occupants understand which enforcement paths may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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