N.Y. Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 744: Eviction based on domestic violence victim status prohibited

§ 744. Eviction based on domestic violence victim status prohibited.

1. A tenant shall not be removed from possession of a residential unit

pursuant to this article because of such person's domestic violence

victim status, as defined in section two hundred twenty-seven-d of the

real property law. It shall be a defense to a proceeding to recover

possession of a residential unit that a landlord seeks such recovery

because of a person's domestic violence victim status, and that, but for

such status, the landlord would not seek to recover possession. A

landlord may rebut such defense by showing that he or she seeks to

recover possession of a residential unit because of any other lawful

ground.

2. Nothing in this section shall restrict a landlord's legal rights to

recover possession of a residential unit on grounds not based on or

derived from domestic violence victim status.

3. A landlord shall not be civilly liable to other tenants, guests,

invitees, or licensees arising from reasonable and good faith efforts to

comply with this section.

4. This section shall not apply to buildings used for dwelling

purposes that are owner occupied and have two or fewer residential

units.