A.
No owner or officer, agent or employee of an owner
of a multiple dwelling, hotel or specialized senior housing facilities
shall threaten to or shall attempt to evict, increase the rent, withhold
a lease renewal or in any other manner take reprisals against any
tenant for:
[Amended 11-19-1997 by L.L. No. 8-1997]
(1)
Reporting in good faith to the Department of Housing
the existence of any violation of this code or any other law, local
law or ordinance related to the operation or maintenance of a multiple
dwelling, hotel or specialized senior housing facilities.
(2)
Performing his duties as an officer or employee of
the Village of Great Neck Plaza; or
(3)
Attempting to secure or enforce his rights under his
lease.
B.
No owner or officer, agent or employee of an owner
of a multiple dwelling, hotel or specialized senior housing facilities
shall threaten to or shall attempt to evict, increase the rent, withhold
a lease renewal or in any other manner take reprisals against any
tenant for the purpose of deterring or punishing a tenant who forms,
joins, assists or sympathizes with lawful activities of a tenant organization
or union.
[Amended 11-19-1997 by L.L. No. 8-1997]
C.
No action for possession of real property shall be
maintained if the dominant purpose in bringing the action is reprisal.
Also, no such action shall be maintained if the plaintiff attempted
to increase the tenant's obligation under the lease as a reprisal
and the tenant's failure to perform such additional obligation is
a material reason for bringing such action. Also, no such action shall
be maintained on the ground of refusal to pay rent if the plaintiff
threatened to or did decrease his obligations under the lease as such
a reprisal, and the tenant refused to pay rent because of the reprisal.
