Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he listened, and now there's a roadmap to address those concerns.
It has 23 proposals to ease common complaints that range from soaring rents and bug infestations to delinquent owners.
The city will start by strengthening enforcement of housing code violations.
"For the first time ever, inspectors will investigate every single heat complaint the city receives," Mamdani said. "Also for the first time ever, if HBD inspectors come at a time when you're not available, you will be able to reschedule a visit at a time that works for you."
The mayor promised the city will also take on pests, eradicate mold and repair broken elevators.
The Legal Aid Society said in a statement that they applaud the Mamdani administration:
"For decades, New York City's low-income renters have borne the brunt of a broken housing enforcement system. Landlords have weaponized unannounced 'ghost' inspections, falsely certified that dangerous conditions have been repaired, and buried tenants under illegal, predatory junk fees. We applaud the Mamdani Administration, tenants, and advocates who worked to bring these systemic abuses to light in this comprehensive, long-overdue report."
However, James Whelan, the president of the Real Estate Board of New York, said the mayor's report focuses on "symptoms, not causes."
"New Yorkers are paying record-high rents because there is not enough housing, and many of the reported conditions are concentrated in heavily rent-stabilized buildings that are facing significant operational and financial challenges," Whelan said. "Rather than addressing these issues directly, the administration continues to paint property owners with a broad brush, unfairly characterizing an entire industry. Seven months into this administration, it is time to prioritize policies that will truly make New York more affordable by increasing housing supply and preserving existing housing."
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New York City news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app