Tenant Protection Cabinet

New York City is a city of renters, 65% of us live in rental housing. As a renter in NYC you have rights and responsibilities. Knowing those rights, and those responsibilities can help you maintain stable and safe housing. We want to make sure renters have the resources they need to understand their rights and responsibilities and the tools they need to take action. As a tenant, your basic rights include: living in a safe, well-maintained building that is free from vermin, leaks, hazardous conditions, and harassment and discrimination. Tenants have responsibilities to their building owners and other tenants - including not damaging the building and responding to annual owner inquiries related to window guards and lead-based paint, and to maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The Tenant Protection Cabinet (TPC) was formed in 2024 to coordinate across agencies to better serve tenants by creating pathways to renter-focused programs and services, and to ensure safe and fair housing conditions. TPC includes representatives from over two dozen City agencies, and is jointly chaired by Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer and New York City Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. By bringing agencies together with a focus on tenant support and protection, TPC will facilitate enhanced information and resource sharing to help tenants more readily navigate and access tenant-focused services and programs in New York City.