File #: Int 1583-2019    Version: * Name: Requiring motor vehicle rental agencies to notify consumers of any damage to a rented vehicle within 72 hours of the return date.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Consumer Affairs and Business Licensing
On agenda: 5/29/2019
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring motor vehicle rental agencies to notify consumers of any damage to a rented vehicle within 72 hours of the return date
Sponsors: Paul A. Vallone
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill requires motor vehicle rental agencies to notify consumers within 72 hours if a vehicle is returned damaged. The notice must include: The date and location where such vehicle was returned; the year, make, model and license plate number of such vehicle; a description and photo of the damage to such vehicle; an estimate of the cost of the damage; and the relevant contact information where such consumer may seek more information or dispute the contents of the notice. A first violation attracts a penalty of $250, and $500 for subsequent violations.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1583, 2. Int. No. 1583, 3. May 29, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-29-19, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - May 29, 2019, 6. Minutes of the Recessed Meeting of May 29, 2019 Held on June 13, 2019

Int. No. 1583

 

By Council Member Vallone

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring motor vehicle rental agencies to notify consumers of any damage to a rented vehicle within 72 hours of the return date

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 5 of title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subchapter 22 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER 22

MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL AGENCIES

§ 20-841 Notice for vehicle damage required. a. As used in this subchapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

Motor vehicle rental agency. The term “motor vehicle rental agency” means any person engaged in the business of renting motor vehicles in the city of New York.

b. A Motor vehicle rental agency shall notify a consumer within 72 hours of receiving a rented motor vehicle from such consumer if such agency intends to seek compensation for damage to such vehicle during the rental period.  Such notice shall include the following information:

1. The date and location where such vehicle was returned by the consumer;

2. The year, make, model and license plate number of such vehicle;

3. A description and photo of the damage to such vehicle;

4. An estimate of the cost of the damage; and

5. The relevant contact information where a consumer may seek more information or dispute the contents of the notice.

c. A motor vehicle rental agency violating this section is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $250 for the first violation and a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each succeeding violation.

d. The department may promulgate such rules as it deems necessary to implement and enforce this subchapter.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

BAM

LS 10202

4/8/2019