NYC passes new appliance mandate that critics argue will make rent, other costs skyrocket

The City Council passed new regulations for the installation of household appliances on Thursday, despite opposition from critics who argue that the rules will lead to increased costs for property owners—and ultimately higher rents for tenants.

In a decisive vote of 47-1, lawmakers endorsed a bill mandating that New Yorkers must employ licensed master plumbers or specially trained handymen for the installation of gas appliances, such as ovens and dryers.

Critics, however, have claimed that this new legislation could raise installation costs for homeowners and landlords by as much as $500 each, a financial burden likely to be transferred to renters.

Bronx Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez, who led the initiative, referenced a tragic gas explosion in the East Village in 2015, which claimed two lives and destroyed three buildings, as a critical rationale for the new law. The bill awaits the endorsement of Mayor Eric Adams to become law.

The catastrophic explosion was triggered by an unauthorized installation.

Sanchez remarked, “No one in New York City should be attempting to self-install a gas stove; it’s unsafe.”

In contrast, the New York Apartment Association, representing landlords of rent-regulated units, argued that such regulations are unwarranted.

Kenny Burgos, an advocate for housing issues, estimated that licensed plumbers could charge up to $500 to install or modify gas appliances.

“This will introduce hundreds of dollars in additional costs to every installation because it mandates licensed master plumbers perform work that has been safely executed by store technicians, building superintendents, and capable homeowners for years,” Burgos articulated in a recent editorial for the Post.

Burgos also raised concerns about the potential shortage of qualified plumbers available to handle the increased demand for appliance installations.

“There are genuine logistical issues when the number of certified master plumbers is limited while the demand for appliance installations continues to grow across the city,” he explained to Fox News Business.

In response, Sanchez contended that New Yorkers would not experience unexpected financial strain, asserting that these procedures were already standard practice.

“If there are complaints regarding this shift, they are unfounded; it’s more of a clarification than a true alteration,” she stated.

However, Sanchez, who chairs the Housing and Buildings Committee, acknowledged that this new regulation might elevate the demand for master plumbers.

A report from Fox Business noted that there are approximately 1,100 master plumbers qualified for such work in the area.

“As we confront the shortage of qualified plumbers and others certified to undertake this work, I aim to initiate discussions about how we can encourage more individuals to enter the trades,” Sanchez remarked. “We must also consider if there are alternative individuals capable of being certified for this work safely.”

The only council member who opposed the bill was Kevin Riley, representing a Bronx district. He has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The administration under Mayor Adams has yet to take a definitive stance on the legislation.

“Every legislative action by the City Council should be assessed through the lens of how to enhance affordability for working-class New Yorkers,” the mayor’s office stated. “We are currently reviewing this bill like any other proposed legislation.”

If the bill is signed by Adams, it will take effect in 120 days.