New York City Council passes new protections for commercial tenants

Crain's New York Business reports:

The legislation—which now awaits Mayor Bill de Blasio's signature—would define tenant harassment as any act or omission by a landlord that "would reasonably cause" a tenant to move out. This would include not only cutting off or overcharging for utilities, refusing to make repairs or denying access to entrances or storage areas, but also inquiring about a lease-holder's immigration status or subjecting tenants to abuse based on their race, sex or gender identity.

Property rights and contracts in NYC for you rookies out there.