New York City renters can now sign up to testify at the city's first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, a series of public forums announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration aimed at gathering tenant experiences with unsafe conditions, hidden fees, and other common rental complaints. The hearings, established through an executive order signed on Jan. 4, will take place in all five boroughs between late February and early April.
On Friday, Summit Properties USA became the winning bidder for more than 5,000 rent-regulated units owned by bankrupt Pinnacle Development Group. The sale went through despite Mamdani's push to delay the auction of units, which were plagued by unresolved maintenance issues and a flood of tenant complaints. Mamdani's setback shows how even a mayor determined to capitalize on an affordability mandate can struggle once cases move into federal court.
Alexander Riguardi moved into 36 Greene Street in December 2020, leasing the entire third floor of the five-story brick building on the corner of Grand Street for $7,250. The place was nice. There's a private elevator, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, and a well-renovated kitchen. It's also on one of Soho's quieter intersections while still being close to everything. And nicest of all, it may net him about $4 million.
Local: SF Sketchfest released its 2026 lineup for the comedy festival that will run January 15 - February 1, at 11 venues across town. Highlights include a Women of SNL panel including Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Laraine Newman, plus appearances from Jenny Slate, John Hodgman, and of course, the obligatory visit from Kids in the Hall. [KRON4] Blimp be blimpin' byu/blueingreentea insanfrancisco
I am proud of the Prison Reform Omnibus bill that passed at the end of session. New York's prisons have been plagued by a systemic pattern of violence toward incarcerated individuals, with little accountability or oversight. Within the last year, correction officers murdered two incarcerated men. The civil rights of incarcerated New Yorkers are routinely violated. The situation in our state's prisons is an emergency. This bill is a crucial step toward ending this violence.
It's not a joyous occasion for me knowing that there will be people impacted by this state bill. There will be vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities that will be now legally kicked out of their homes.That's not something that I think anybody anywhere would be happy with. And so as much as I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the tenant protection bill, I personally come here today with a heavy heart
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Prior to June, New York City renters were often charged a hefty fee, equal to a month's rent or more, to a broker before signing a lease on a new apartment, even if they found the unit by themselves without any help. That changed after enforcement of the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses, or FARE, Act began June 11. The new measure requires whoever hires the broker to pay their fee and to disclose all upfront costs.
Once seen as one of the Bay Area's last affordable cities, San Leandro now faces one of the highest rates of eviction notices per capita as officials grapple with the end of pandemic-era renter protections. But the city received a lifeline this week with a $1 million state housing grant and pro-housing designation, which city officials said they will leverage to develop more affordable housing as part of the city's full court press to keep residents in their homes.
