OUR 2021 PLATFORM

Syracuse Tenants Union is a grass roots organization in which our goals is to play a supportive role to tenants in their need of knowledge about Tenant Rights, Code enforcement, preventative steps they can do to avoid eviction, and much more. We also play a pivotal roll in fighting for change in tenants rights legislation locally and statewide.

Furthermore, S.T.U. believes that Housing is a Human Right! Clean, safe, decent housing is right that should be given to all tenants. Tenants are the majority in the city of Syracuse and we deserve respect!

We are people-powered and tenant-centered! Jump in and join us in our work:

Community organizing through canvassing, one-on-one meetings, kitchen table talks, leadership development, power relationship analyses, and more

Community mobilizing including get out the vote and supporting each other

Tactics such as media campaigns, rent strikes, public demonstrations, testimonies at hearings, legislative lobbying, and more

ETPA Opt-in. The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 gave every municipality in New York the right to “opt in” to the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 (ETPA). The ETPA will balance the displacement caused by gentrification and combat exorbitant rent increases caused by predatory investment. Tenants living in buildings built before 1974 that contain 6 or more apartments will have regulated rent levels, leases with the right to renew, and good cause eviction protection (like all public housing authority and Section 8-project tenants do now). The Common Council must take the first step and commission a “vacancy study” ($30,000 to $50,000). Vacancy studies have recently been commissioned by Rochester, Albany, and Kingston, and are pending in Newburgh and other cities.

Syracuse Rental Registry We must make the Rental Registry work for tenants:

1. To register, landlords must provide a physical address in the City of Syracuse where service of legal papers will be accepted. This will enable tenants to pursue legal claims for security deposits and property damage, and will enable the City to sue out of town landlords for code violations.

2. All code violations must be cleared before a property can be registered.

3. Raise the re-registration fee for lapsed registrations.

Syracuse Code Enforcement Must Be Re-visioned and Re-made. Code Enforcement is ineffective and cannot be relied upon by tenants to obtain even the most basic repairs.

1. Every complaint will be logged and entered into the inspection system. This includes complaints made by phone and the website. Complaints must be accepted from advocates, family, friends and others on behalf of a tenant.

2. The agency will fulfill its obligation to provide language access to all complainants and access to all complainants with disabilities.

3. Physical inspections will ensure that repairs are made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Caulk will no longer be allowed for repairs to plumbing leaks, or holes in ceilings, walls and floors. Plastic, tape, cardboard will no longer be allowed for repairs to broken windows. Stairwells filled with dead pigeons will no longer be allowed.

4. Tenants must have safe access to basements and attics in order to access electrical breakers, plumbing, drains, and furnaces.

5. Buildings that are deemed “unfit” must be vacated and sealed with the rental registration suspended until a physical re-inspection is conducted to verify all repairs are made. When repairs are not made timely and the building remains “unfit” the agency will refer the case to corporation counsel for appointment of a receiver and/or seizure.

6. Re-inspection fees must be raised: $100 for a second inspection, $300 for a third inspection, $500 for a fourth inspection, etc.

7. Violations will no longer remain open month after month; a time limit on repairs will be imposed. The agency must refer cases to the BAA or to corporation counsel for enforcement when repairs are not made timely or adequately.