State can revoke real-estate licenses under violations of Human Rights Law

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 3 signed legislation explicitly granting the New York State Department of State the authority to discipline real-estate professionals found to have violated provisions of the state Human Rights Law by revoking or suspending their license. 

The legislation “further reinforces the state’s commitment to combating housing discrimination and strengthens the abilities of the Secretary of State to discipline licensed professionals for discriminatory behavior,” per an Aug. 3 news release. 

The new law also complements the department’s existing regulations, which authorize the secretary to discipline licensed agents and brokers who have been involved in any unlawful discriminatory practice. 

“We have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind in New York and the sheer scope and breadth of the unscrupulous and discriminatory real-estate practices uncovered on Long Island is repugnant to who we are,” Cuomo said. “…we are vastly expanding the state’s ability to crack down on unethical real-estate agents and protect hard-working New Yorkers looking for a community to call home.”

On Nov. 17, 2019, Newsday reported the results of an undercover investigation into housing discrimination on Long Island. The probe’s “deeply troubling” findings included evidence suggesting real-estate agents on Long Island engage in discriminatory conduct with “disturbing frequency” — including imposing unequal conditions and steering clients toward certain neighborhoods depending on their perceived race or ethnicity, Cuomo’s office said. 

Immediately following the Newsday report, the governor directed the Division of Human Rights, the Division of Homes and Community Renewal, and Department of State to launch a joint investigation into reports of widespread discrimination among real-estate agents on Long Island. 

In December, Cuomo announced new regulations for real-estate professionals to help combat discrimination in the housing market statewide. The new regulations, which were approved by the New York State Real Estate Board, mandated enhanced disclosures by real-estate professionals to help ensure prospective home buyers, renters, sellers, and landlords receive “ample” information about their rights and protections under New York law. 

The governor also announced several additional initiatives to combat housing discrimination across New York state, which included launching a comprehensive social-media campaign and housing-discrimination hotline to raise awareness.