Int 0071-2004

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Section 1803 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new subdivision three to read as follows: 3. The commissioner shall authorize the training and certification of volunteer citizen housing inspectors. Upon completion of training and certification, a volunteer shall be designated as a “citizen housing inspector.” A citizen housing inspector shall have such qualifications as shall be prescribed by the commissioner. A citizen housing inspector shall, in accordance with law and with the permission of a lawful occupant of a dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling, have the right to enter and inspect such dwelling unit and any area in a multiple dwelling, or any part thereof, or anything therein or attached thereto to which the public has routine and ordinary access. A citizen housing inspector shall be authorized by the commissioner to report to the commissioner or any inspector or any officer of the department authorized pursuant to subdivision two of this section, any condition which the citizen housing inspector believes constitutes a violation that may be written by an employee of the department. Upon such request, the department shall, as soon as practicable, inspect the conditions reported by the citizen housing inspector and take such action as is appropriate. §2. This local law shall take effect immediately.