New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is supporting a proposal that would shift the cost of tenant credit checks from applicants to landlords. This initiative is part of the administration's "Rental Ripoff Report," which aims to reduce financial barriers for renters, particularly those who are rent-burdened or receiving rental assistance.
The proposed policy would prohibit property owners from charging prospective tenants for credit reports, instead mandating that landlords or their agents pay for any screening expenses. The report highlights that these costs can present a significant obstacle for tenants already spending at least 30% of their income on rent.
In conjunction with this, the plan suggests that landlords could require either a credit check—paid for by the landlord or broker—or proof of income meeting the 40-times-the-rent standard, but not both. This approach is intended to streamline the application process and decrease out-of-pocket expenses for renters.
The 68-page report outlines a range of tenant-focused proposals developed from "Rental Ripoff Hearings" where over 2,300 tenants shared their experiences and suggested changes to landlord practices and housing conditions across the city. Other recommendations include legally recognizing tenant unions, directing the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to investigate all heat complaints citywide, and requiring landlords to disclose if rental listing images or videos have been digitally altered or generated by artificial intelligence to prevent applicants from being misled.
Mamdani's office has begun discussions with City Council members and other partners to build legislative support for the report's proposals. Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the administration on these legislative initiatives.
The announcement of the report occurred at the Tenement Museum, where tenant activists emphasized the urgency of the proposed changes. Toni Marrero of the Hope Tenants Union described evictions as "violence" and stated that the current administration is empowering tenants to resist such practices. Marrero shared personal experiences of surviving eviction attempts and losing friends to the process.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the event, sharing a video clip of Marrero and labeling it "Theater of the absurd."