New York City sets “Rental Ripoff” Hearings in All Five Boroughs; Tenants can Testify on Fees and Unsafe Homes
New York, N.Y. — New York City renters will soon have a borough-by-borough forum to describe unsafe apartment conditions, surprise fees and other problems that can upend family routines and force sudden moves during the school year.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration announced Tuesday that it will hold the city’s first-ever “Rental Ripoff Hearings,” a series of five public sessions—one in each borough—created under Executive Order 08. Tenants will be able to give recorded testimony and, in some cases, speak one-on-one with senior city officials from agencies focused on housing quality and consumer protection.
The hearings are scheduled for Feb. 26 in Downtown Brooklyn; March 5 in Long Island City, Queens; March 11 in Fordham, the Bronx; March 28 in East Harlem, Manhattan; and April 7 on Staten Island’s North Shore.
City officials say they want renters to share experiences ranging from mold, broken appliances and unsafe construction conditions to “non-rent” fees and surprise charges.
Parents planning to participate may want to bring a short timeline of issues—dates of repair requests, photos, copies of notices or fee explanations—and note any impacts on children, such as asthma triggers, missed school days, or the need for temporary childcare during repairs.
Registration to attend in person is available through the city’s hearing page, and renters who can’t attend can submit testimony by email.
Under the executive order, the city has 90 days after the final hearing to publish a summary report and a plan outlining proposed enforcement and policy steps.
