NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveils Rental Ripoff housing reforms

Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a 23‑point "Rental Ripoff Report" aimed at easing the cost of renting in New York City. A central provision would bar landlords from requiring both a credit check and proof of income, forcing reliance on a single screening method and shifting the cost of credit checks to landlords, with the fee capped at $20 and waived if a recent report is provided. Real‑estate broker Keyan Sanai warned that eliminating the modest fee would not improve affordability, noting the restriction could make underwriting harder for renters with irregular income.

The rollout includes immediate actions such as 311 text alerts for inspection scheduling, mandatory heat‑complaint inspections in the fall, and a guide for filing landlord‑harassment complaints. Other measures, like expanded lien authority and mold‑remediation enforcement, will need formal rulemaking and City Council approval before implementation.