Rental Ripoff Hearings Set Across All Five Boroughs

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced dates and locations for New York City’s first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, a five-borough series of public forums designed to give tenants a direct line to city leadership about abusive rental practices and unsafe living conditions

The hearings were established by Executive Order 08 and will invite New Yorkers to share experiences ranging from mold and broken appliances to hidden fees, surprise charges, and unresponsive landlords.

Hearings Designed To Put Tenants At The Center

At each hearing, tenants will be able to deliver public testimony and meet one-on-one with senior officials from the Mamdani administration, including commissioners overseeing housing, consumer protection, and building safety.

“You can’t fight for tenants without listening to them first,” Mamdani said. “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.”

City Commits To Action Within 90 Days

The Mamdani administration said it will publish a report within 90 days of the final hearing outlining policy interventions to address common grievances raised by tenants.

Officials said the testimony will also help inform the administration’s forthcoming housing plan, including enforcement strategies targeting bad landlords, brokers, and predatory practices.

Housing And Consumer Officials To Hear Directly From Renters

Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg said the hearings will allow tenant experiences to directly shape 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,” Bozorg said.

Cea Weaver, director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, called the hearings a historic opportunity for renters to influence city policy.

“Whether you’re fighting to get repairs or being hit with unexplained fees, your story can improve lives for millions of New Yorkers,” Weaver said.

Enforcement Agencies Highlight Accountability Focus

Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy said tenant input will guide enforcement and policy decisions.

“We take this process seriously and these hearings will be used to drive real change,” Levy said.

Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine said broker fees and hidden charges are driving up housing costs for working New Yorkers.

“These hearings are an important step toward holding landlords and brokers accountable,” Levine said.

Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said the Department of Buildings will participate to better address tenant safety and quality-of-life concerns tied to construction and inspections.

Dates And Locations Announced Citywide

The Rental Ripoff Hearings will be held on:

Thursday, Feb. 26, 5:30–8:30 p.m. — Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, March 5, 5:30–8:30 p.m. — Long Island City, Queens
Wednesday, March 11, 5:30–8:30 p.m. — Fordham, The Bronx
Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. — East Harlem, Manhattan
Tuesday, April 7, 5:30–8:30 p.m.— North Shore, Staten Island

New Yorkers can register to attend in person at nyc.gov/RentalRipoff.

Those unable to attend can submit testimony by email to RentalRipoff@cityhall.nyc.gov.