(a) If the proceeding is instituted by such commissioner, one-third or
more of the tenants of the dwelling may, at any time thereafter during
the pendency of the proceeding or after final judgment pursuant to
section seven hundred ninety-six-h or seven hundred ninety-six-i of this
article, petition for substitution of themselves in place and instead of
such commissioner. Such substitution shall be ordered by the court
unless good reason to the contrary shall be shown.
(b) A special proceeding pursuant to the provisions of this article
may only be commenced with respect to the same premises by one
municipality at a time.
3. The place of trial of the special proceeding shall be within the
county in which the dwelling or a portion thereof from which the rents
issue is situated.
4. The provisions of this article shall not apply to dwellings located
in the city of New York or in the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland
and Westchester or in any cities, towns or villages of such counties.