Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5396: Limits the time landlords have to process applications

This bill, A 5396 (Right to Timely Rental Applications Act), requires landlords to notify rental applicants of their decision within seven days of receiving a completed application or deposit. If landlords fail to respond within this timeframe, the application is automatically deemed rejected, and the rejection applies to all co-applicants. Landlords must also refund any application fees within 14 days of rejection. The law applies to all residential rental applications and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to respond within 7 days or automatically reject applications, refunding fees, strengthening tenant rights and reducing processing delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3957: Relates to rent impairing violations and eviction proceedings

This bill modifies New York's Multiple Dwelling Law and Real Property Laws to address rent impairing violations (unfixed building conditions like unsafe plumbing or heating). If a building has such a violation that remains uncorrected for three months after the owner receives notice, owners cannot collect rent for affected units. Tenants can use this violation as a defense in eviction or rent collection cases by depositing the disputed rent amount with the court and proving the violation existed. The law also requires the department to notify tenants of violations and explains their right to raise this defense in court.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenants by blocking rent collection for unsafe units and allowing violation defenses in eviction cases, directly strengthening tenant rights under housing laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 5, 2026

A 946: Prohibits landlords, lessors, sub-lessors and grantors from demanding brokers' fees from a tenant

This bill prohibits landlords, lessors, sub-lessors, and grantors from requiring tenants to pay broker fees. It directly affects residential tenants by preventing landlords from charging them for brokerage services related to lease applications or tenancy. The law allows landlords to still charge for background and credit checks, but bans all other upfront fees like broker commissions. Exceptions apply to certain senior living communities and cooperative housing corporations under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans tenant broker fees, reducing upfront costs and protecting tenants, thus supporting affordable housing and tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7113: Relates to establishing an emergency repair program

Requires municipalities to set up a program that repairs emergency violations of habitability for residents in twenty-four to forty-eight hours from notification; provides for the billing of the owners of the property for such repairs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates rapid repairs for habitability violations, strengthening tenant protections by ensuring safe housing conditions and billing owners for costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7729: Relates to establishing a maximum rent of one-third of household income for the senior citizens rent increase exemption and disability rent increase exemption

Relates to establishing a maximum rent of one-third of household income for the senior citizens rent increase exemption and disability rent increase exemption.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill caps rent increases at 1/3 household income for seniors/disabled, directly protecting vulnerable tenants from excessive rent hikes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8454: Relates to creating the tenants' bill of rights

Requires a notice informing tenants of their rights to be provided to tenants at the time they execute a residential lease and to be posted in certain buildings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires tenant rights notices at lease signing and posting, directly strengthening tenant protections per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3156: Permits tenants heat repair expense to be set off against rent

Allows tenants the right to offset rent with payments made for the repair or service maintenance of an oil fired or other heating device where reasonable efforts were made to notify the landlord of the heating failure, the agency used is reasonably engaged in the business of making such repairs and an itemized bill for such service is provided.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows tenants to offset rent for heating repairs, strengthening tenant protections against landlord inaction on essential maintenance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3991: Creates the New York Civil Gideon Act

S 3991, the New York Civil Gideon Act, creates a framework to provide legal counsel in civil cases for low-income New Yorkers facing issues like housing, family matters, and healthcare access. It establishes an 11-member Civil Right to Counsel Commission (appointed by state leaders, courts, and legal groups) to oversee implementation and report annually. The bill designates legal services providers as the "lead agency" responsible for assessing eligibility, managing referrals, and coordinating representation, while courts must ensure fair processes for unrepresented parties. This directly affects vulnerable residents whose civil legal needs often go unmet, aiming to improve access to justice in non-criminal matters.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides legal counsel for low-income tenants in housing cases, strengthening tenant protections through civil rights framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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died · New York · Assembly Mar 11, 2026

A 1865: Relates to the installation of appliances or fixtures by tenants

Prohibits landlords from restricting the installation of appliances or fixtures by tenants; provides that the landlord is not compelled to change utilities or alter the unit for such installation; prohibits surcharge where tenant pays utilities directly to provider; requires a tenant restore appliances or fixtures to the condition they were prior to being installed or allowing such appliances or fixtures remain in the rental unit at no cost to the landlord; defines "appliances or fixtures".

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from restricting tenant-installed appliances/fixtures, strengthening tenant rights and property control in rental housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 9220: Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant which occurs when an owner intentionally engages in a systematic ongoing course of conduct to induce three or more rent regulated tenants occupying different housing accommodations in two or more residential buildings to vacate such housing accommodations or if such owner commits the crime of harassment of a rent regulated tenant and was previously convicted of the same crime in the past five years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates criminal penalty for landlord harassment of rent-regulated tenants, protecting civil rights and enhancing tenant safety within housing. Aligns with criminal justice reform by strengthening victim protections.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects rent-regulated tenants from harassment by owners, strengthening tenant rights in affordable housing without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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