Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4236: Relates to protecting the rights of Mitchell-Lama residents

S 4236 creates an independent office to handle tenant complaints about Mitchell-Lama housing issues, including harassment, unfair rent increases, poor maintenance, and lack of transparency in building conversions. It requires owners to provide verified financial records for building refinancing or conversions and mandates state comptroller approval for all rent increases based on documented financial reviews. The bill also guarantees legal support for tenants in housing court and directs courts to assign judges experienced with Mitchell-Lama regulations. These changes directly protect current and converted Mitchell-Lama residents from financial and operational abuses by landlords or management.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tenant complaint office, mandates financial transparency for owners, requires comptroller approval for rent hikes, and guarantees legal support - all strengthening tenant protections in affordable Mitchell-Lama housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7183: Increases the penalties for certain unlawful discriminatory practices based on the lawful source of income of the victim

Increases the penalties for housing related unlawful discriminatory practices based on the lawful source of income of the victim where the respondent receives federal, state or local tax benefits for the housing accommodation at issue.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases penalties for housing discrimination based on lawful income source, strengthening tenant protections against discriminatory practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2023: Relates to a cap on security deposits for residential leases of one year or longer

This bill caps security deposits for residential leases of one year or longer at one month's rent. Landlords cannot charge more than this amount, and additional move-in fees (like pet fees or background checks) must be included within that limit - pet fees max at 25% of the total deposit, other fees at 10%. Most fees must be refundable to tenants, with pet-related fees only retained for cleaning or pet-caused damage after move-out. Violations carry civil fines up to 15% of the annual rent. The bill directly affects landlords and tenants in long-term residential leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps security deposits at one month's rent and limits refundable fees, directly strengthening tenant protections and reducing financial barriers to housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6702: Relates to representation in certain real property actions

This bill (A 6702) requires courts to assign legal counsel to homeowners who cannot afford representation in certain real property legal disputes, such as evictions or property disputes. It directly affects low-income homeowners facing these civil court cases. The key mechanism adds a new section to the real property law, mandating court-appointed lawyers and directing counties to implement this through their existing plans for legal representation (already used for criminal cases, family court, and other specific proceedings). The bill expands current county legal aid coverage to include these real property actions without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides legal counsel to low-income homeowners in eviction/property disputes, strengthening tenant protections and housing stability for vulnerable residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4885: Establishes a bill of rights for the unhoused

Establishes a bill of rights for the unhoused; provides that no person shall be denied certain rights because of a state of homelessness nor shall such persons be harassed, cited, fined, or arrested by law enforcement, security personnel, public employees, or private citizens for the exercise of certain rights; describes rights; provides for a bill of benefits of the unhoused for the free provision of a postal address and the right to juridical services to ensure protection from the violation of their protected rights; requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to create a pamphlet of such rights; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminalization of homelessness by prohibiting arrests/fines for unhoused individuals, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects unhoused individuals from harassment, fines, and arrests related to homelessness, directly advancing housing rights and addressing homelessness per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6480: Directs the commissioner of housing and community renewal to require certain housing quality standards inspections of Section 8 housing

Directs the commissioner of housing and community renewal to require housing quality standards inspections of Section 8 housing when a tenant moves out or vacates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates housing quality inspections for Section 8 housing upon tenant turnover, directly protecting tenant rights through enforced safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1233: Requires landlords to ensure rental properties are equipped with utility services prior to renting such properties

Requires landlords to ensure rental properties are equipped with utility services prior to renting such properties; requires landlords to keep utility services connected in between tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to provide/maintain utilities, strengthening tenant protections in housing as defined by the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2082: Relates to pension income and tax abatement for rent-controlled and rent regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities

This bill changes how property taxes are calculated for seniors and people with disabilities living in rent-controlled or rent-regulated housing. It allows their pension benefits (including Social Security, retirement payments, and disability benefits) to be counted as income for tax purposes, potentially lowering their property tax burden. The key mechanism revises income calculation rules to exclude gifts, inheritances, and certain pension increases tied to inflation, while including eligible benefits. To qualify, households must have an existing rent increase exemption order (granted before July 1, 2024) and the new calculation must show lower taxes than the previous method.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for seniors/disabled renters by counting pension income in tax calculations, lowering their burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers property tax burden for seniors/disabled in rent-controlled housing via pension income inclusion, strengthening tenant affordability protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9171: Increases transparency of source of income discrimination findings and rental application outcomes for voucher holders

Requires the division of human rights to report on its website findings of discriminatory practices relating to lawful sources of income; requires landlords of 6 or more residential units to report annually certain information relating to applicants who receive rental subsidies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates reporting on income source discrimination against voucher holders, strengthening tenant protections and addressing housing discrimination per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 18, 2026

A 9112: Prohibits the use of credit history in the tenant screening process for applicants who are survivors of domestic violence

Provides that a landlord shall not request, obtain, or consider a consumer credit report or credit history for a prospective tenant who provides a written self-attestation that they are a victim of domestic violence, and shall not deny an application for rental housing on the basis of credit history when the applicant is a victim of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects domestic violence survivors from housing discrimination, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim support and reducing barriers to stability.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing denial based on credit history for domestic violence survivors and subsidy recipients, strengthening tenant protections and increasing housing access for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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