How New York Assembly Bill A2739 Could Give Homeowners a Leg Up in Foreclosure Defense

As of December 8, 2025, Assembly Bill A2739 has cleared the Senate and Assembly and is now sitting on Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk. If she signs it, this little-known bill could give homeowners in default a real edge against foreclosure. The law would require mortgage lenders to accept and immediately apply payments made in reliance on a payoff statement – no more excuses, no more “we’ll hold it in suspense.” As long as you pay where and how your lender says to, your money counts toward your loan balance. That’s a big deal because right now, lenders can refuse partial payments or take them without actually reducing what you owe.

Here’s the exciting part: combine this law with the state’s mandatory settlement conferences, and homeowners suddenly have a legally backed, game-changing strategy to slow down foreclosure. You can make installment payments to chip away at your default and potentially save your home – all without needing a full payoff, a modification, or a short sale. It’s a way to fight back while saving time, money, and headaches.

If the bill becomes law, homeowners should be prepared for possible delays or added complexity when requesting payoff statements and making payments. If you’re facing foreclosure and want to make sure every payment counts, contact Lieb at Law, P.C. – because now, your money can finally work for you.

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New York Expands Human Rights Law to Ban Discrimination in Real Estate Appraisals

On October 16, 2025, A6689 was signed into law and now New Yorkers are protected from discrimination in real estate appraisal services by the New York State Human Rights Law. 

This bill expands the New York State Human Rights Law, at Executive Law 296, by enacting new paragraph (h), which now provides:

IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE FOR ANY PERSON TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL IN MAKING REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL SERVICES AVAILABLE OR TO BASE A REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL, ESTIMATE, OR OPINION OF VALUE ON THE RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MILITARY STATUS, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, STATUS AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME, OR FAMILIAL STATUS OF EITHER THE PROSPECTIVE OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTY, THE PRESENT OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTY, OR THE PRESENT OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPERTY. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT A REAL ESTATE APPRAISER FROM TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION FACTORS OTHER THAN RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MILITARY STATUS, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, STATUS AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME, OR FAMILIAL STATUS.

The bill also provides license law procedures to enforce discriminatory violations by appraisers, including a fine, suspension, or revocation of licensing statute. It finally creates funding for an anti-discrimination in housing fund to be administered by the AG to test fair housing compliance. 

If you believe you’ve been a victim of appraisal discrimination or need guidance on compliance with the New York State Human Rights Law, contact Lieb at Law, P.C. at 646.216.8009 to speak with an attorney experienced in real estate discrimination litigation.

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Housing Discrimination Plaintiffs Now Have Two Bites at the Apple

Starting in 2021, every New York state housing discrimination plaintiff should bring an administrative complaint at the Division of Human Rights before even considering filing a lawsuit in state Supreme Court or federal District Court. 

Andrew Lieb, Esq. provides an update to the Executive Laws that were amended and effective 1/5/21. 

To read the full article published in The Suffolk Law Journal, The Suffolk Lawyer, CLICK HERE. 

Legally Speaking: Legal Issues Folks are Facing in Buying/Selling/Renting this Summer

Everyone is in the Hamptons this summer. Tenants fled here in March. They are staying even after they were supposed to go back to the city at the end of their lease terms. Unfortunately, tenants have unilaterally elected to illegally holdover in their former rentals because it's not just more beautiful here, it's safer. This has caused major problems for buyers, sellers, and legitimate tenants alike.

Andrew Lieb shares many legal issues people are facing this summer in Dan's Papers. Click HERE to read the full article.

REAL ESTATE & LAW: A LOOK BACK AT 2019 AND A LOOK AHEAD

Andrew Lieb shares some highlights of the extraordinary changes in the law that control the sales, rentals and litigation landscape of real estate. This is a must read for real estate professionals, homeowners, landlords and tenants.

Read the full article published in Behind The Hedges here.