NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani reveals "Rental Ripoff Hearings" dates and times

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the date and times of his five borough "Rental Ripoff Hearings." 

The specific venues for the hearings haven't yet been revealed but here's when they're coming to each borough. You can sign up to attend one by clicking here. 

• Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Downtown Brooklyn  
• Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Long Island City, Queens  
• Wednesday, March 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fordham, The Bronx   
• Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., East Harlem, Manhattan  
• Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., North Shore, Staten Island  

If you're unable to attend in person, you can also email your story to officials by clicking here. 

"Their testimony will guide our work" 

New York City renters are invited to share their experiences and challenges, whether it's a discussion of broken appliances, unsafe conditions, surprise fees, and so on. 

"You can't fight for tenants without listening to them first. That's why we're launching Rental Ripoff Hearings in all five boroughs—bringing together renters to speak directly about what they're facing, from hidden fees to broken tiles and unresponsive landlords," Mamdani said. "What tenants share at these hearings won't lead to empty promises. Their testimony will guide our work and help shape the policies we advance to build a city New Yorkers can afford to call their home."  

"We're looking forward to hearing from New Yorkers in every borough about the challenges they face, from hidden fees to code enforcement failures," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg.   

"Your story can improve lives" 

"We want to hear directly from tenants as it's the most effective way to craft responsive policies, and ensure that the right enforcement strategies are included in our housing plan. We take this process seriously and these hearings will be used to drive real change," said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy.  

"These hearings are a historic opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from tenants," said Cea Weaver, director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants. "Your story can improve lives for millions of New Yorkers." 

The Mamdani administration says it will produce a report with new policy proposals to address what's discussed in the public hearings. 

For more information the hearings, click here. 

Group blasts "kangaroo court" 

At least one group urged the mayor to look instead at NYCHA. 

"Instead of dealing with the real challenges facing New Yorkers, this administration has chosen to stage a kangaroo court to distract from the real truth: the worst landlord in New York City isn't a private owner—it's City Hall," said Humberto Lopes of the Gotham Housing Alliance. "The New York City Housing Authority, under the Mayor's control, is responsible for some of the most unlivable and neglected housing conditions anywhere in the five boroughs, with more violations by far than any private property. While tenants in NYCHA developments endure mold, heat outages, and unsafe buildings, the Mayor's team diverts attention by targeting small and mid-sized landlords who are often struggling under the city's crushing regulatory burden. And in a telling move, they've invited every housing agency except NYCHA itself to these hearings, conveniently leaving out the one agency most responsible for tenants' suffering. If the mayor wants to talk about a 'rental ripoff,' he should start by looking in the mirror, and by fixing the broken system he already runs."