Part 5/11:
New Yorkers already face an arduous cost of living, with the average rent reaching $4,000 per month—well above the national average. This legislative move threatens to push costs even higher. Landlords, for example, could simply pass along the increased installation fees to tenants, further deepening the city’s affordability crisis.
Moreover, the regulatory burden might discourage maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. If installation costs balloon, landlords may opt to delay or forego necessary appliance replacements, leading to outdated and potentially unsafe living conditions.