New Law: Discrimination Commissions

On November 25, 2019, General Municipal Law 239-o was amended to have local Commissions on Human Rights take into account all of the NYS protected classes when seeking to foster mutual respect and understanding in the community.

The protected classes are:

1. ages
2. races
3. sexual orientation
4. gender identity or expression
5. military status
6. sex
7. disability
8. predisposing genetic characteristics
9. familial status
10. marital status
11. domestic violence victim status 
12. creed
13. color
14. national origin

LIBOR / NYSAR - We just don't get it

On November 21 - we posted the blog Dear LIBOR - Lieb School has a question about your Fair Housing Courses where we advised that the statute requires that real estate licensees only be taught with "attorneys presenting legal subjects".

Now, Newsday is reporting a quote from NYSAR's CEO - "We are requiring all of our instructors that want to teach fair housing to go through a training course that will be run by an independent fair housing group before they can teach for us again,” MacKenzie said.

What?

You can't have them go through a training to become attorneys - they have to pass the Bar Exam.

Can't you all just follow the law?

Liebschool.com - where the law is followed

Pointless Legislation? RE Broker Discrimination = License Revocation

Newsday is reporting that "Sen. James Gaughran (D-Huntington) and Assemb. Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Babylon) introduced a bill that would expand the state’s authority to suspend or revoke a real estate agent’s license."

Did you know that a law already exists that provides for discrimination = license revocation?

19 NYCRR 175.17(b) states:
No real estate broker or salesperson shall engage in an unlawful discriminatory practice, as proscribed by any federal, state or local law applicable to the activities of real estate licensees in New York State. A finding by any federal, state or local agency or court of competent jurisdiction that a real estate broker or salesperson has engaged in unlawful discriminatory practice in the performance of licensed real estate activities shall be presumptive evidence of untrustworthiness and will subject such licensee to discipline, including a proceeding for revocation. Nothing herein shall limit or restrict the Department from otherwise exercising its authority pursuant to section 441-c of the Real Property Law.

Yes, codifying the law makes sense, but unless DOS prosecutes, what's the point?

Hey Brokers - should a license be lost if a broker is found to have discriminated? 

Just remember, not every charge of discrimination is legitimate.

Let us know your thoughts in comments.

Co-op Purchaser Application Fees Eliminated by Tenant Protection Act?

Co-ops sales may be subject to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. Forget what "our attorneys" have said - here is the go to analysis for prospective litigation on the issue. 

Read the full article by Andrew Lieb published in The Suffolk Lawyer here. 

Real Tips HR: The Timing of Terminating an Employee

Employers need to quickly fire an employee to reduce exposure. Employment experts Mordy Yankovich and Andrew Lieb share tips in this short clip.

Discrimination Victim?

NYS' new hotline is 844.862.8703

That being said, discrimination laws provide that the defendant pays your attorneys' fees - so just call any attorney who practices in the field and get representation now!!!

Dear LIBOR - Lieb School has a question about your Fair Housing Courses

Did you know that the statute, Real Property Law §441(3)(c), requires that fair housing courses be taught by attorneys only?

The statute states: It shall be taught by a qualified faculty with attorneys presenting legal subjects.

We are just wondering how Newsday's Long Island Divided reported on real estate licensees deficiencies in teaching fair housing when they aren't legally allowed to teach these courses in the first place.

Please let us know.

Liebschool.com - where the law is followed

Eye on Real Estate Podcast (11/16): Andrew Lieb, Dottie Herman, Brad Inman, Thomas Drew, Mike Conte

If you missed Eye on Real Estate on 11/16 you can listen to the podcast. Real Estate panel includes:

• Andrew Lieb - Lieb at Law Managing Attorney
• Dottie Herman - Douglas Elliman CEO
• Bradley Inman - Inman Founder
• Thomas Drew - Citizen Bank Executive
• Michael Conte - Insurance Expert

Listen to the Podcast here. 

Real Tips HR: How to accommodate pregnant employees in the workplace

Mordy Yankovich and Andrew Lieb discuss employers duty to offer reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees if there is a condition related to the pregnancy that affects how the employee can perform their job duties.

Watch this short clip here. 

No Certificate of Occupancy? No Rent, No Eviction Proceeding

On November 6, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Assembly Bill 1646 into law. Assembly Bill 1646 amends the Multiple Residence Law and adds a new Section 302-a. The Multiple Residence Law applies to buildings with three or more units outside New York City.

Effective immediately, the new law prohibits the recovery of rent AND the commencement of an action for possession of a dwelling based on nonpayment of rent if the dwelling or structure occupied for human habitation does not have a certificate of occupancy or is not in compliance with the existing certificate of occupancy pursuant to Multiple Residence Law § 302.

The dwelling may be caused to be vacated for any nuisance or if it is occupied by more families or persons than permitted or is erected or occupied contrary to law. Such dwelling cannot be occupied until it or its occupancy has been made to conform to law.

Apart from a landlord being prohibited from recovering rent and possession of the premises through a nonpayment eviction proceeding, landlords should also be aware that violations may also be fined up to $500 or imprisonment up to a period of one year, or both.

What RE Brokers that were previously exempt from CE need to know about the new CE requirements

NY Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons that were previously exempt from Continuing Education will no longer be exempt and will need to have completed the full CE requirements, including the new subjects prior to submitting a renewal on or after 7/1/2021.

They can begin taking continuing education 2 years prior to the expiration date of their current license. Keep in mind that only those submitting a renewal on or after 7/1/21 must meet the new requirements.

For example: A licensee with a current license renewal date of 9/1/19 to 8/31/21 would need to complete the education, and the courses would have to be completed in the 2 years immediately preceding the renewal (after 9/1/19 and before submitting the renewal). Any licensee who submits the renewal prior to 7/1/21 may claim the exemption one last time. 

NOW, all licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include:

• 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
• 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
• 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions 
• 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)

Lieb School has you covered! We are in the process of revamping our continuing education packages to comply with the new laws! 

Real Tips HR: What happens if an employer takes away a benefit that an employee already earned?

Employment law experts Andrew Lieb and Mordy Yankovich discuss removing accrued benefits to employees in this short clip.

LLC Owner Disclosure in Condos - Avoid the Bad Advice

News media is reporting that "Condo Buyers Can Keep Purchases Secret, N.Y. Tax Officials Say in Reversal," but is that true?

For reference, see Law Alert: LLC Owners ID Must be Disclosed in Real Estate Deals where we discuss S1730 requiring disclosure of the beneficial ownership of a one-to four-family dwelling unit owned by a LLC on real estate transfer tax forms.

It is noted that the guidance referred to by the Journal cannot be located besides through the use of deduction from a careful reading of the Department of Taxation and Finance website where the term condominium was removed from its "Important Notice regarding conveyances to or from a limited liability company." That being said, real estate professionals are reminded that S1730 wasn't the only law concerning disclosure of owners of LLCs.

Instead, FinCEN had previously issued Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders that requried such disclosure.

As a result, regardless if the Journal is correct, which remains questionable because it involves an interpretation of S1730, which is the perview of the judiciary, not the executive branch, disclosure remains required for purchases of $300,000 or more in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, or Manhattan in New York City, New York.

 

Legal Updates: Employers Are Required To Provide New Employees With Sexual Harassment Prevention Training on or before First Day of Work

New York State recently amended its antidiscrimination laws and clarified when new employees must be provided the Sexual Harassment Prevention Notice. The State’s updated guidance recommends that at the time of hiring (or at the beginning of their first day of work) employees must be provided the employer's sexual harassment prevention policy and the information presented at the employers sexual harassment prevention training program (in English and in the primary language of the employee).

Notice must be delivered in writing (in print or email). The notice must link to or include the policy and links to training materials. 

Under existing New York State law, employers must provide sexual harassment training and policies on an annual basis to all employees.

Read the full FAQ from NY.GOV here. 

Lieb Compliance is HR's one-stop sexual harassment solution in full compliance with NYS Labor Law §201-g and NYC Local Law 96. Offering web-based, on-demand, full-video trainings, company branded complaint forms and sexual harassment policies with digital receipts to defend prospective litigation and address Department of Labor audits. Beyond this product's simplicity in satisfying an otherwise onerous requirement, the training is electric by offering real-life case studies and practical advice delivered through the eyes of a litigator. Simply, this is the choice vendor if you want both compliance and to increase employee morale. Make training fun again. For more information visit discriminationpreventiontraining.com 

Lieb at Law is Hiring An Associate Attorney

Lieb at Law, P.C., is seeking an associate attorney to support the firms widely expanding litigation and transaction practice. This role will work across the firms practice areas. Newly admitted attorneys looking for experience in multiple fields of law are welcomed. You will be trained. Competence trumps experience and career growth is limited only by your own ability, ambition and desire to learn and evolve. We are looking for a potential star that is intellectually driven, who does not cut corners, has a fresh approach, thinks outside-the-box and can provide tangible fact-driven support.

Desired qualifications:

• Must love technology and use it always, must be comfortable in a paperless office with cloud based systems;
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal writing and oral advocacy;
• Dedicated, organized and detail-oriented;
• Ability to leverage substance rather than emotion

The firm’s practice areas include:

• Litigation: Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Real Estate Brokerage Litigation, Title Litigation, Plaintiff Personal Injury, Landlord/Tenant, Estate Litigation and more.
• Employment Litigation, Compliance and Trainings: Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, Wage and Hour, Restrictive Covenants, Family Medical Leave Act, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appeals; Employee Handbooks and Policies, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training, Wage and Hour Audits & more.
• Legal Compliance for Regulated Industries: Outside Compliance Counsel for regulated professions, Policy Drafting, Policy Implementation, Auditing, Corporate Compliance Trainings.
• Estate Planning and Probate: Last Wills, Advance Directives, Trusts, and Probate Administration.
• Transactions: Commercial and Residential Real Estate Purchase and Lease Transactions, Business Transactions and Negotiations.

Qualifications:

Candidate must have 1 year of experience at a law firm. Excellent critical thinking, writing, organization and research (Westlaw) skills. Must be technologically savvy and detail oriented.

Lieb at Law is different:

The law firm is a part-owner of a New York State Licensed Real Estate School, Lieb School, which offers in-class and digital courses throughout New York State and Connecticut. Lieb at Law, P.C. attorneys draft curriculum and teach at the school where they have the opportunity to establish themselves as topical experts and drive the future of the real estate brokerage industry. The law firm's sister firm, a Compliance Company, Lieb Compliance, leverages legal change to enhance business services. Lieb Compliance offers sexual harassment trainings and employment law support services.

About the firm:

The firm was founded in 1977. In 2009, Andrew Lieb acquired control of the firm and transformed its legal services from a general practice to a commercial litigation boutique focusing on real estate and legal compliance for regulated industries.

The firm’s litigation practice is driven by leveraging informational imbalances to win cases. This is a substance first law firm where data drives decision making and strategy.

To achieve the firm’s information focused litigation culture, staff have access to cloud-based legal research platform so the latest cases are available to our legal team everywhere, including within the courtroom. Next, a secure, cloud-based case management system catalogs every thought and action on each client’s matter. As a result, case facts are readily accessible through the stroke of a computer key, instead of being locked away in one attorney’s memory or private paper notes in some desk draw.

Finally, enterprise file sharing, storage and collaboration software is utilized to enable the efficient collaboration between attorneys where case strategy and document preparation benefits from fresh and innovative group think.

Lieb at Law’s latest research and collaboration tools extend to the firm’s transactional team, which ensures that contractual language is driven by our real life experiential learning from our contractual litigating practice.

Lastly, we publish and teach the law that we practice in order to always stay on the cutting edge. Lieb at Law’s work product is a derivative of embracing education and technology to provide a modern law firm that is at the vanguard of representation.

To apply email cover letter and resume to careers@liebatlaw.com 

Real Tips HR: Can Employers Fire an Employee Accused of Sexual Harassment?

In this #metoo movement, employers must know how to react when an employee gets accused of sexual harassment. Can employers just fire someone on the spot? Andrew Lieb and Mordy Yankovich explain the answer in this short clip.

Attention RE Brokers - No More CE Grandfathering + New Required Courses in CE

On 10/23/19, continuing education requirements for NYS real estate brokers, associate real estate brokers and real estate salespersons were changed by A6082. These changes are effective 7/1/21.

Lieb School has got you covered for your continuing education needs. Because our school's courses are written & taught by Andrew M. Lieb, Esq. we have been teaching the required courses this entire time! We know what topics you need to avoid getting sued while making money.

The new law creates 2 new categories of continuing education: "ethical business practices" & "recent legal matters" plus it eliminates grandfathering for brokers who were licensed 7/1/08.

NOW, all licensees must receive 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years to stay licensed. The 22.5 hours must include:

• 3 hours on fair housing &/or discrimination
• 2.5 hours on ethical business practices
• 1 hour on recent legal matters governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in New York, which may include statutes, laws, regulations, rules, codes, Department of State Opinions and Decisions, and Court Decisions 
• 1 hour on the law of agency (2 hours in the initial 2-year cycle)

Amended RPL §441(3)(a) now states (capital is newly added & [] are deleted):

No renewal license shall be issued any licensee under this article for any license period commencing November first, nineteen hundred ninety five unless such licensee shall have within the two year period immediately preceding such renewal attended at least twenty-two and one-half hours which shall include at least three hours of instruction pertaining to fair housing and/or discrimination in the  sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property, AT LEAST TWO AND ONE-HALF HOURS OF INSTRUCTION PERTAINING TO ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES, AT LEAST ONE HOUR OF INSTRUCTION PERTAINING TO RECENT LEGAL MATTERS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS IN NEW YORK WHICH MAY INCLUDE STATUTES, LAWS, REGULATIONS, RULES, CODES, DEPARTMENT OF STATE OPINIONS AND DECISIONS, AND COURT DECISIONS AND at least one hour of instruction pertaining to the law of agency except in the case of the initial two-year licensing term for real estate salespersons, two hours of agency related instruction must be completed, and successfully completed a continuing education real estate course or courses approved by the secretary of state as to method, content and  supervision, which approval may be withdrawn if in the opinion of the secretary of state such course or courses are not being conducted properly as to method, content and  supervision. For those individuals licensed pursuant to subdivision six of section four hundred forty-two-g of this article, in the individual's initial license term, at least eleven hours of the required twenty-two and one-half hours of continuing education shall be completed during the first year of the term. Of those eleven hours, three hours shall pertain to applicable New York state statutes and regulations governing the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons. To establish compliance with the continuing education requirements imposed by this section, licensees shall provide an affidavit, in a form acceptable to the department of state, establishing the nature of the continuing  education acquired and shall provide such further proof as required by the department of state. [The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any licensed real estate broker who is engaged full time in the real estate business and who has been licensed under this article prior to July first, two thousand eight for at least fifteen consecutive years immediately preceding such renewal.]

LLC Anonymity in Real Estate Transactions Is No More

LLCs still offer many advantages in real estate ownership, but anonymity isn't one of them.

Andrew Lieb, Esq. shares the latest updates with the law here. 

Your Guide to Buying a Flip at the Right Time

Did you know that if a buyer’s contract of sale is dated within 90 days of the seller’s deed, the buyer may not be able to get a mortgage commitment? Underwriters at mortgage lenders have policies against issuing loans when the dates between the prior deed and the current contract of sale are too close in time.

Read the full article by Andrew Lieb, Esq. published in Dan's Papers here. 

Summary of the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 for General Landlord/Tenant Practice

The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 is a 74 page Act. Andrew Lieb, Esq. summarizes the list of major changes applicable to general landlord/tenant practitioners.

Read the full article in the Suffolk Lawyer Law Journal here.