Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1498: Removes provisions prohibiting N.Y. city from strengthening rent regulation laws to provide more comprehensive coverage than state laws

Removes provisions that prohibit cities of one million or more from strengthening rent regulation laws to provide more comprehensive coverage than state laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves state restrictions, enabling cities to implement stricter rent regulations and enhance tenant protections beyond state minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4669: Establishes the New York state office of civil representation to provide access to legal services in eviction proceedings

Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes right to counsel in eviction proceedings, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing disputes95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7903: Enacts the safe housing transfer for domestic violence victims act

Enacts the safe housing transfer for domestic violence victims act; ensures safe housing transfers for domestic violence victims in public and private housing; requires landlord response within seven days of a relocation request.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures housing safety for domestic violence victims, protecting civil rights and supporting victim access to justice within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlords respond within 7 days to domestic violence victim relocation requests, strengthening tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 26, 2026

A 1621: Requires a landlord to have clean hands to bring action for rent or eviction in certain cases

This bill requires landlords to maintain habitable housing conditions before pursuing rent collection or eviction. Specifically, landlords cannot file such cases if there are unresolved violations of housing codes (like lack of heat, water, or rodent infestations) that have existed for five days or more in the apartment or building common areas. If violations exist, landlords must file an affidavit claiming the violations were recorded incorrectly or not addressed by authorities, and courts can dismiss the case if these claims are false or violations are proven. The law directly affects landlords seeking legal action and tenants facing eviction or rent demands.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates habitable housing before eviction/revenue actions, directly protecting tenants from unsafe conditions and strengthening tenant rights per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8444: Prohibits discrimination based upon housing status

This bill adds "housing status" to New York's existing anti-discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It explicitly defines "housing status" to include people experiencing homelessness, living in temporary shelters (like homeless shelters or transitional housing), or residing in places not designed for regular overnight stays (e.g., cars, sidewalks). The law prohibits discrimination based on this status by employers, landlords, and businesses providing public services, integrating it into current enforcement mechanisms under the Division of Human Rights. It does not create new penalties but extends existing protections to cover housing instability as a protected category.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits discrimination against homeless/temporary housing residents, directly strengthening tenant protections and addressing homelessness through explicit anti-discrimination measures.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on housing status (including homelessness), directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 174: Prohibits rent minimums in mortgages

This bill would prevent mortgage lenders from penalizing borrowers who don't set high enough rental rates on properties covered by their mortgages. It voids any mortgage clause requiring minimum rents or punishing low rents, applying to all mortgages regardless of when they were created, renewed, or modified. The law directly affects property owners with mortgages who might face fees or default penalties for not meeting arbitrary rent minimums. This policy change ensures lenders cannot enforce such clauses as against public policy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents lenders from penalizing low rents, allowing property owners to set affordable rates without mortgage penalties, directly increasing housing affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Mortgages Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 631: Makes reclassification of rent controlled dwelling retroactive to time of decrease in income of members of household of dwelling

This bill (S 631) helps rent-controlled tenants with tax abatements who experience a significant income drop. If a household’s combined income decreases by more than 20% after receiving a tax abatement, they can apply to lower their rent to match the original rent-to-income ratio. The adjusted rent can be made retroactive to when the income dropped, but only back to the date of their most recent approved application (not further). It applies specifically to households with rent-controlled units under existing tax abatement programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for lower-income tenants via rent adjustment under tax abatement program when income drops >20%, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables rent-controlled tenants with income drops to lower rent to maintain affordability, strengthening tenant protections and preserving affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 1058: Requires rent reduction in cases of submetered utility service

Requires rent reduction in cases of submetered utility service; directs the division of housing and community renewal to develop a standard reduction and an appeals process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires rent reduction for submetered utilities, directly protecting tenants from inflated costs and advancing tenant rights under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 6, 2025

S 1399: Establishes the vacant rental improvement program

This bill creates the Vacant Rental Improvement Program, providing grants of up to $75,000 per unit to owners of small rental buildings (five or fewer units) located outside New York City. It requires renovated units to be leased at affordable rates - defined as 80% of area median income - for a 10-year period, with new owners inheriting the affordability requirement. The program prioritizes vacant units or those with code violations and establishes a dedicated "rental improvement fund" for financing. Owners who violate the lease terms risk full repayment of grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via dedicated rental improvement fund to provide grants for affordable housing renovations, advancing public service funding within budget priorities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates grants for renovating vacant units to be leased at 80% AMI for 10 years, directly increasing affordable housing stock and enforcing long-term affordability requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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died · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 595: Establishes the small rental housing development initiative to provide funding to eligible applicants to construct small rental housing developments in eligible areas

Establishes the small rental housing development initiative to provide funding to eligible applicants to construct small rental housing developments in eligible areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides funding for small rental housing construction, directly advancing affordable housing development through new funding initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Zoning

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