Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4088: Relates to representation in certain real property actions

This bill (S 4088) gives homeowners facing real property disputes who cannot afford a lawyer the right to have a court assign them counsel. It directly affects low-income homeowners involved in property cases like evictions or foreclosure. The key provision requires courts to provide court-appointed lawyers through existing county legal aid systems (under Article 18-B of the County Law), mirroring how representation is handled for criminal defendants or family court cases. The bill updates county law to explicitly include "certain real property actions" in the scope of assigned counsel programs. It does not create new funding but formalizes access to existing representation mechanisms for qualifying property disputes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides court-appointed legal counsel for low-income homeowners facing eviction/foreclosure, strengthening tenant protections and preventing housing loss through legal access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3125: Relates to the use of automated decision tools by landlords for making housing decisions

This bill requires landlords using automated tools to screen housing applicants to conduct annual bias checks by independent auditors, ensuring the tools don't disproportionately harm protected groups like racial minorities or women. Landlords must publicly share summary results of these checks on their websites before using the tools and notify applicants about how the tools work, what data they use, and denial reasons. It directly affects landlords who deploy such technology and housing applicants whose applications are processed by these systems. The law mandates transparency about tool usage and provides applicants a 24-hour window to request human review if denied. Violations may trigger investigations by the attorney general.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires bias checks for automated tenant screening to prevent discrimination against protected groups, strengthening tenant protections and preventing housing discrimination.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires bias audits for AI housing tools to prevent discrimination, enhancing data privacy and digital rights protections for applicants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1617: Relates to potential tenants with a criminal history; and relates to public housing applicants with a criminal history

This bill prohibits landlords from denying rental applications solely based on a potential tenant's criminal history and creates similar protections for public housing applicants. It requires landlords to avoid blanket denials and mandates that public housing programs cannot inquire about criminal history before determining eligibility. The bill also establishes strict criteria for denying housing based on criminal history (only if directly related to public safety), bans consideration of sealed records, and requires an appeal process for rejected applicants. These changes directly affect renters in private housing and applicants for state/local public housing subsidies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce barriers for reentry and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits blanket rental denials based on criminal history, strengthening tenant protections and preventing housing discrimination per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 9164: Establishes uniform waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors applying for public housing

This bill establishes a uniform priority system for domestic violence survivors applying to public housing. It requires local housing authorities to give these applicants the same waiting list priority as other vulnerable groups (like the disabled, elderly, or homeless) if they either face ongoing domestic violence in their current home or have left due to abuse without stable replacement housing. The bill specifies that among applicants with equal priority status, selection will be based on application date and time. It references the existing legal definition of "victim of domestic violence" from social services law and applies immediately to all new applicants on waiting lists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrioritizes housing for domestic violence survivors, supporting victim safety and access to justice within criminal justice reform framework.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes domestic violence survivors in public housing waiting lists, strengthening tenant protections and access to affordable housing for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3711: Prevents housing discrimination based on wage history, medical history, and health conditions

This bill amends New York's housing anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit landlords and housing providers from refusing to rent or sell housing based on a person's wage history, medical history, or health conditions. It adds these factors to the existing list of protected characteristics (like race, disability, or gender) in housing decisions. The law applies to all housing accommodations, including publicly-assisted housing, and bans both direct refusal and discriminatory inquiries about these protected factors. This creates a clear legal standard preventing housing discrimination tied to financial background or health status.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on wage/medical/health factors, strengthening tenant protections per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 7633: Relates to actions and proceedings seeking an abatement of rent based on violations of the housing maintenance code

Relates to actions and proceedings seeking an abatement of rent based on violations of the housing maintenance code, applicable housing standards, the building code, or the health code; relates to the number of housing judges assigned to certain actions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables tenant rent abatement for housing code violations, strengthening tenant protections and enforcing housing maintenance standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2323: Directs the New York city housing authority to establish occupant protection plans for projects having lead paint

Directs the New York city housing authority to establish occupant protection plans for projects having lead paint and post and maintain signs in conspicuous locations at the affected projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates lead paint protection plans and signage for tenants, directly strengthening tenant safety in housing projects per topic's tenant protection indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7184: Extends rent stabilization to units occupied by tenants of housing accommodations owned by charitable and non-profit institutions

Provides that certain charitable and non-profit institutions shall not have the right to refuse to renew a lease of any current or future tenant occupying housing accommodations owned by such institution except where specifically authorized by law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits non-profit housing institutions from refusing lease renewals, strengthening tenant protections in affordable housing units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6958: Enacts the New York fair housing act

Enacts the New York fair housing act to require municipalities to take affirmative steps to address the creation and maintenance of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates municipalities to take affirmative steps for affordable housing creation/maintenance, directly advancing the topic per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights Zoning

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6772: 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 evictions, directly strengthening tenant protections against displacement per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track