On October 25th, Governor Hochul signed A06833 adding additional protection to New York State's Human Rights Law making it clear that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable in New York. This addition is effective as of October 25th, 2023. 

This addition will protect Homeowners from being discriminated against by Real Estate Appraisers based on the Homeowner's protected characteristic, including race, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  

With this addition the Department of State will be able to revoke, or suspend the license of a Real Estate Appraiser found to be in violation of the Human Rights Law. 

New York State felt this addition was necessary after it was revealed that Real Estate Appraisers in Illinois, California, Florida, and Connecticut had been found to lower appraised home values by up to 50% based on what the Appraisers find in the home including, cultural pieces, books written by people of color and family photos of people of color that were left out in plain view. 

New York State is making sure these discriminatory practice does not take place in New York and this addition to the Human Rights Law will discourage these discriminatory acts. 

If you were discriminated against by a Real Estate Appraisers in New York within the last 3 years, you may have a claim under New York State's Human Right Laws.  

To read more about this addition to New York State Human Rights Law, click here.