§ 234-A — Unauthorized legal fees

§ 234-a. Unauthorized legal fees. (a) An owner, lessor or agent\nthereof shall be prohibited from assessing a lessee any fee, surcharge\nor other charges for legal services in connection with the operation or\nrental of a residential unit unless the owner, lessor or agent has the\nlegal authority to do so pursuant to a court order. The provisions of\nthis subdivision shall not apply to a shareholder of a cooperative\nhousing corporation, provided, however, that the provisions of this\nsubdivision shall apply with respect to any tenant or subtenant of such\na shareholder.\n (b) Legal services include, but are not limited to, court fees, legal\nrepresentation, attorney fees, notary public charges, and administrative\nfees incurred by the owner, lessor or agent in connection with\nmanagement of the building, including actions and proceedings in a court\nof law.\n (c) Any agreement or assessment contrary to this section shall be void\nas contrary to public policy.\n