Bedford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 130 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 130-1
Preamble
Operative Text
This agreement, made as of this 20th day of September 1993, by and between the incorporated Town of Bedford, State of New York, hereinafter the "town," and the undersigned owners of certain multifamily dwellings located in the Town of Bedford, hereinafter the "owners." WITNESSETH Whereas, in 1981 the Bedford Town Board was petitioned by tenants in multifamily dwellings to adopt the statute known as the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 (ETPA); and Whereas, the Bedford Town Board embarked upon detailed study of the provisions and effects of the ETPA and, in connection with such study, conferred with tenants, owners, outside experts and others; and Whereas, rather than adopt the ETPA, the town and owners agreed to enter into an agreement dated April 27, 1981, which was renewed by agreements dated March 23, 1984, May 6, 1986, August 16, 1988, and September 20, 1991 (the "Bedford Fair Rent agreement"); and Whereas, the Bedford Fair Rent Agreement has generally succeeded in solving landlord-tenant problems in the town, and the parties are desirous of continuing it, with certain modifications as set forth herein; and Whereas, representatives of the owners and tenants have met with each other and the Supervisor of the town and have had discussions concerning the Bedford Fair Rent Agreement and the proposed modifications; and Whereas, the Town Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the town, its tenants and the owners of multifamily dwellings to enter into an agreement with the undersigned owners rather than to adopt the ETPA at the present time; and Whereas, the parties hereto desire to provide for the stability of rentals being paid for apartments in the town in a manner designed to balance the goals of protecting tenants against unpredictable or large rent increases and to provide for a reasonable return on investment for the owners; Now, therefore, in consideration of the following terms, the parties hereto agree as follows.
Section 130-1 of Bedford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 130 sets out the historical and policy background for the Bedford Fair Rent Agreement, a voluntary compact first established in 1981 between the Town of Bedford and local multifamily dwelling owners as an alternative to adopting the state's Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 (ETPA). The preamble explains that the agreement has been renewed multiple times, with the 1993 version reflecting further modifications agreed upon by owner and tenant representatives alongside town officials. Its stated purpose is to balance tenant protections against unpredictable rent increases with the owners' interest in receiving a reasonable return on their investment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of multifamily dwellings in Bedford who are parties to the Bedford Fair Rent Agreement under ch. 130 § 130-1 operate under a framework that was deliberately chosen over the ETPA as a more flexible, negotiated alternative. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the agreement's history and stated goals, since the preamble in § 130-1 frames the interpretive context for all subsequent provisions. Understanding that the agreement reflects a mutual commitment to rental stability and reasonable investment returns helps owners apply later sections of ch. 130 consistently with its intended balance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Bedford multifamily dwellings benefit from a rent-stabilization framework established under ch. 130 § 130-1, which was created specifically in response to tenant petitions seeking protection from large or unpredictable rent increases. The preamble signals that the Bedford Fair Rent Agreement was designed with tenant stability as a core goal, providing a foundation for the rights and procedures detailed in the sections that follow. Tenants who believe the agreement's protections are not being honored may wish to review the full text of ch. 130, contact the Town of Bedford directly, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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