TO: HOWARD OWNERS, INC. SHAREHOLDERS AND RESIDENTS
FROM: AMANDA MERCADO, SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER
RE: BANNING OF E-BIKES & OTHER LITHIUM-ION BATTERY DEVICES
DATE: JANUARY 25, 2023
Recently, there has been much discussion about lithium-ion batteries in the news. The focus has been mainly on their use to power e-bikes, scooters, and hoverboards that have caused fires in several NYC buildings. The New York City Council Committee on Fire and Emergency Management is considering proposed bills to address rules for batteries on electric bicycles, scooters, and other e-mobility devices.
For the safety of our community and residents, due to the recent fires and lack of quality control testing with the lithium batteries in these devices, The Howard Owners of Directors has decided to ban all e-bikes, scooters, and hoverboards containing such batteries. Effective immediately, Howard Owners, Inc. has adopted a House Rule that prohibits such devices and batteries from entering the building or from being stored on the property.
HouseRuleForShareholder & Tenants:
The following are not permitted anywhere on the premises including, without limitation, in the lobby, hallways, parking garages, storage areas, apartments, common areas and courtyards: (i) lithium ion batteries; and (ii) e-bikes, hoverboards, scooters, skateboards, motorized bicycles or other similar items which are powered by lithium ion batteries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, batteries used to power personal devices such as phones, laptops or tablets are permitted.
If you are housing or storing any of these devices in your unit or anywhere on the property, they must be removed immediately. In the event a violation of the foregoing policy results in a fire at the Property, please be informed that the Co-op will look to hold the Lessee (Tenant) who brought the prohibited lithium ion device onto the Property or whose Guests brought the LI Vehicle onto the Property, responsible for any resulting damage.
Thank you for your immediate compliance with this new House Rule.