The New York City Council overwhelmingly voted in favor of new regulations for installing appliances on Thursday despite critics arguing that the mandate would cause rent prices to soar.
As per this bill, New Yorkers would be required to hire plumbers or qualified handymen to install gas ovens and other appliances. However, critics state that this would cost landlords an additional $500 per installation, which would then lead to a rent hike.
A major factor that has influenced this decision is safety. Bronx Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez, who led the way for the proposal, cited a deadly gas explosion in Manhattan’s East Village in 2015 as a justification for the bill…