NYC Will Host 1st 'Rental Ripoff' Hearing: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — New York City will host its first Rental Rip-off Hearings in Brooklyn on Thursday, part of a five-borough series of public forums to allow tenants to disclose abusive rental practices and unsafe living conditions.

Two sessions will take place in Downtown Brooklyn from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. While online registration for the event has ended, New Yorkers can still email testimony to be included.

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

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.

The Mamdani administration then 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.

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.

Input from the hearings will also guide enforcement and policy decisions going forward.

Here Are The Remaining Dates And Locations For The Rental Rip-Off Hearings

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.