Cal. Civ. Code § 235-D
Harassment
Operative Text
§ 235-d. Harassment. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, within a city having a population of one million or more, it shall be unlawful and shall constitute harassment for any landlord of a building which at any time was occupied for manufacturing or warehouse purposes, or other person acting on his behalf, to engage in any course of conduct, including, but not limited to intentional interruption or discontinuance or willful failure to restore services customarily provided or required by written lease or other rental agreement, which interferes with or disturbs the comfort, repose, peace or quiet of a tenant in the tenant's use or occupancy of rental space if such conduct is intended to cause the tenant (i) to vacate a building or part thereof; or (ii) to surrender or waive any rights of such tenant under the tenant's written lease or other rental agreement. 2. The lawful termination of a tenancy or lawful refusal to renew or extend a written lease or other rental agreement shall not constitute harassment for purposes of this section. 3. As used in this section the term "tenant" means only a person or business occupying or residing at the premises pursuant to a written lease or other rental agreement, if such premises are located in a building which at any time was occupied for manufacturing or warehouse purposes and a certificate of occupancy for residential use of such building is not in effect at the time of the last alleged acts or incidents upon which the harassment claim is based. 4. A tenant may apply to the supreme court for an order enjoining acts or practices which constitute harassment under subdivision one of this section; and upon sufficient showing, the supreme court may issue a temporary or permanent injunction, restraining order or other order, all of which may, as the court determines in the exercise of its sound discretion, be granted without bond. In the event the court issues a preliminary injunction it shall make provision for an expeditious trial of the underlying action. 5. The powers and remedies set forth in this section shall be in addition to all other powers and remedies in relation to harassment including the award of damages. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to amend, repeal, modify or affect any existing local law or ordinance, or provision of the charter or administrative code of the city of New York, or to limit or restrict the power of the city to amend or modify any existing local law, ordinance or provision of the charter or administrative code, or to restrict or limit any power otherwise conferred by law with respect to harassment. 6. Any agreement by a tenant in a written lease or other rental agreement waiving or modifying his rights as set forth in this section shall be void as contrary to public policy.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-D makes it unlawful for a landlord—or anyone acting on a landlord's behalf—in a city of one million or more to engage in a course of conduct intended to pressure a tenant into leaving or surrendering lease rights, when that building was at some point used for manufacturing or warehouse purposes and lacks a current residential certificate of occupancy. Covered conduct includes deliberately cutting off or failing to restore services that are customarily provided or required under a written lease. Lawful lease terminations or lawful refusals to renew do not qualify as harassment under this section, and any lease clause purporting to waive these protections is void as against public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing converted loft or industrial buildings in New York City should be aware that § 235-D prohibits any course of conduct—whether direct or through agents—designed to push tenants out or strip them of lease rights. Compliant operators maintain continuity of services required by written leases or customarily provided, document the legitimate business reasons behind any service changes, and ensure that lease terminations or non-renewals follow lawful procedures rather than serving as pressure tactics. Because § 235-D's remedies stack on top of other applicable laws and do not replace them, operators generally consult qualified legal counsel when navigating changes to services or occupancy in buildings with a manufacturing or warehouse history.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-D, tenants holding written leases in formerly industrial or warehouse buildings in New York City have a statutory right to be free from deliberate interference with their comfort, repose, peace, or quiet when that interference is aimed at forcing them out or making them give up lease rights. A tenant who believes this provision has been violated may apply directly to the New York Supreme Court for injunctive relief—including a temporary restraining order—and § 235-D also preserves the right to seek damages under other applicable laws. Tenants exploring their options can reach out to local tenant-rights organizations or a housing attorney, and may also consider whether a violation of this section could be raised as a defense or counterclaim in related proceedings.
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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