What you should know
- Hearings will give tenants a platform to share experiences with unsafe building conditions, hidden fees and other abuses
- City will have 90 days after hearings conclude to deliver a plan to protect tenants and hold bad landlords accountable
NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the dates and locations for New York City’s first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, a series of five public hearings — one in each borough — where New Yorkers will be invited to share their experiences renting in the City.
Established by Executive Order 08, the Rental Ripoff Hearings will create a direct line between tenants and City leadership. New Yorkers will speak about challenges ranging from mold, broken appliances and unsafe construction conditions to hidden fees and surprise charges. Tenants will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with senior officials from the Mamdani administration, including commissioners from the city’s housing and consumer protection agencies, to help shape future policy.
“You can’t fight for tenants without listening to them first. That’s why we’re launching Rental Ripoff Hearings in all five boroughs—bringing together renters to speak directly about what they’re facing, from hidden fees to broken tiles and unresponsive landlords,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “What tenants share at these hearings won’t lead to empty promises. Their testimony will guide our work and help shape the policies we advance to build a city New Yorkers can afford to call their home.”
“At New York City’s first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, tenants will be able to speak directly with city officials so their experiences can shape real policy reforms. We’re looking forward to hearing from New Yorkers in every borough about the challenges they face, from hidden fees to code enforcement failures,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.
“Tenants are the backbone of New York City, but too many are struggling every day with surprise charges and unsafe living conditions. These hearings are a historic opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from tenants: whether you’re fighting to get repairs or being hit with unexplained fees, your story can improve lives for millions of New Yorkers,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
“New Yorkers deserve a rental system that keeps everyone safe and housed. We want to hear directly from tenants as it’s the most effective way to craft responsive policies, and ensure that the right enforcement strategies are included in our housing plan. We take this process seriously and these hearings will be used to drive real change,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy.
“Broker fees, hidden charges, and other predatory practices are ripping off working New Yorkers and jacking up the cost of where they live. The Rental Ripoff Hearings are an important step toward holding landlords and brokers accountable,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine. “At DCWP, we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to combat these unfair practices and make living in New York City more transparent and affordable. I look forward to hearing directly from residents and working with Mayor Mamdani to deliver a more affordable city for all New Yorkers.”
“From enforcing rigorous safety protocols during active construction to upholding the city’s strict inspection standards, the Department of Buildings is unwavering in its commitment to protecting tenants and holding property owners accountable for providing safe and legal housing,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “Mayor Mamdani is rightfully putting the spotlight on tenant safety and quality of life issues in our city. We welcome the opportunity to participate in these important discussions and look forward to hearing directly from New Yorkers about their experiences as tenants, which will help inform improvements to our operations and ensure we continue to best serve the public’s interests.”
The hearings will be held on:
- Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Downtown Brooklyn
- Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Long Island City, Queens
- Wednesday, March 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fordham, The Bronx
- Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., East Harlem, Manhattan
- Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., North Shore, Staten Island
New Yorkers can register to attend in person at nyc.gov/RentalRipoff. At each hearing, participants will be able to record testimony or sign up for one-on-one conversations with city officials.
New Yorkers who cannot attend an in-person hearing can submit testimony via email to RentalRipoff@cityhall.nyc.gov.
Within 90 days of the final hearing, the Mamdani administration will publish a report proposing policy interventions to take on these ripoff tactics, informed by common grievances voiced by New Yorkers. In addition, input gathered at the Rental Ripoff Hearings will help inform the Mamdani administration's forthcoming housing plan.
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