Page 14 - The Indian eye 072426

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

14 JULY 24, 2026
Mayor Mamdani Releases

“Rental Ripoff Report,” Outlining New Actions to

Crack Down on Hazardous Housing Violations

Administration will require disclosure of AI-altered rental listings, recognize tenant unions and

strengthen enforcement against negligent landlords and conditions like mold and pests

OUR BUREAU action, agency rulemaking, legisla-
tion and litigation.
NEW YORK, NY
Examples of executive actions
ayor Zohran Kwame and agency rulemaking include:
Mamdani has released the • Investigating every heat complaint
MRental Ripoff Report, a individually rather than consoli-
package of 23 policy actions shaped dating complaints from the same
by testimony from thousands of New building.
Yorkers at Rental Ripoff Hearings • Allowing tenants to schedule cer-
held across the five boroughs. The tain building inspections.
hearings were established through • Improving response time to eleva-
one of the Mayor’s first Executive tor outage complaints.
Orders and informed a sweeping set • Addressing the root causes of resi-
of reforms to strengthen tenant pro- dential fires.
tections, improve housing quality and • Streamlining public information
hold negligent landlords accountable. about tenants’ rights and strength-
The actions build on the May- ening protections against harass-
or’s housing plan, Block by Block, ment based on immigration status.
which charts a path to build 200,000 The Mayor’s Office to Protect
affordable homes, preserve another Tenants will also convene a Legis-
200,000, make the largest investment tenant unions, we are making it clear days with tenants and owners, we lative Task Force to recommend
in public housing in modern history that every New Yorker deserves a are making clear that our city and reforms to the City’s housing quali-
and enforce the nation’s strongest safe home – and every landlord who our housing market is stronger when ty enforcement system. Possible re-
tenant protections. refuses to provide one will be held tenants are mobilized, engaged and forms to be studied include:
The report’s recommendations accountable,” said Mayor Mamdani. represented,” said Cea Weaver, Di- Adding financial penalties to the
include recognizing tenant unions, “The actions laid out in the Rent- rector, Mayor’s Office to Protect Underlying Conditions Program for
expanding tenants’ ability to orga- al Ripoff Report will help create a Tenants. landlords who fail to remediate mold.
nize and bargain collectively over city where every New Yorker can live Mayor Mamdani established Strengthening the Alternative
building conditions and other shared with dignity. From improving code the Rental Ripoff Hearings through Enforcement Program (AEP) to
concerns; requiring landlords to dis- enforcement to supporting tenants Executive Order 8, signed during his better address chronic building vio-
close when rental listings have been who organize with their neighbors, first week in office. Between Feb- lations.
altered using artificial intelligence these policies are rooted in real ex- ruary and April, the administration Modernizing the property reg-
or other digital tools; modernizing periences and address real concerns. held one hearing in each borough istration process, which remains
building owner registration and My thanks to the thousands of New and accepted testimony online, en- paper-based and does not require
communication systems; and using Yorkers who helped shape these gaging over 2,400 New Yorkers. building owners to provide an email
the City’s full enforcement authority actions and to the many City staff The report identifies the most address.
to crack down on “repeat-offender” who helped make the Rental Ripoff common concerns raised by tenants. Allowing the Department of
landlords through inspections, en- Hearings a success,” said Leila Bo- 16% of testimony referenced pests, Housing Preservation and Develop-
forcement programs and litigation. zorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and while 13% mentioned mold and an- ment (HPD) to serve building own-
“At Rental Ripoff Hearings Planning. other 13% cited leaks. New Yorkers ers with violations through digital
across the five boroughs, we heard “The Rental Ripoff Hearings also described widespread problems notice to existing methods.
from thousands of New Yorkers liv- and today’s report are writing a new with poor housing conditions, land- “I’m grateful for the two thou-
ing with mold that was never treated, chapter in tenant power in New York lord harassment, confusing interac- sand New Yorkers who took the time
pests that were never addressed and City. Governing is a partnership. By tions with agencies, deceptive fees to attend these hearings and to tell
fees that were never explained. Lis- bringing tenants’ voices directly into and surprise utility bills. That feed- us what they need. That feedback
tening was only the first step. This re- policy and taking unprecedented back directly informed the policies now serves as our call to action and
port turns those stories into concrete steps to facilitate tenant organizing included in the Rental Ripoff Report. the reforms laid out in this report

action. From requiring disclosure of across the city, we are showing what The Mamdani administration will significantly advance HPD’s mis-
AI-altered listings to bringing our governing with New Yorkers looks will use every tool at the City’s dis- sion to ensure that New Yorkers are
code enforcement systems into the like. From legally recognizing tenant posal to implement the report’s rec- safe and secure inside their homes,”
21st century and finally recognizing unions to coordinating enforcement ommendations, including executive said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy.

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