Some Landlords To Face Greater Regulations

Landlords of former Mitchell Lama buildings will face greater rent regulations, as Governor Spitzer closed what he deemed a loophole in rental law yesterday. Previously, landlords had been able charge market rate rents on units in some rent-stabilized buildings that withdrew from the Mitchell Lama "affordable" housing program, citing an exemption for "unique and peculiar " properties.

Mr. Spitzer yesterday barred landlords from invoking the exception based on a building's prior participation in Mitchell Lama.

The state was processing landlords' applications to invoke the exception for at least 5,000 units, a spokeswoman for the Department of Housing and Community Renewal said.

The move comes as a victory for housing advocates, who had claimed the exception harmed low-income tenants.