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Getting New York City to Believe in Government by David Dayen
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – It was the first Rental Ripoff hearing and people were pissed. Set up by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and attended by leaders of his administration and 150 city workers across multiple departments, the hearings gave tenants a chance to describe conditions their landlords refuse to fix—rats, mold, dangerous construction—along with a spate of unnecessary and hidden fees. They had three minutes each to share their experiences. But they also got to do something unexpected: set policy priorities for one of the largest cities in the world.
Arrayed around the room were posterboards, which not only asked tenants what problems they faced but sought their input on policy proposals brainstormed by staff, like fining landlords who don’t make repairs, making it easier to form tenant unions, or enabling the city to take over buildings when there are serial violations. Placing a sticker by the proposal signaled approval. But in addition, the public could also write their own policy alternatives on Post-It notes. And they did.
“Require transparency on who landlords (LLC) are so [we] can hold them accountable,” read one note. Another suggested a crackdown on charging market rates when the unit is rent-stabilized so the landlord could pocket the difference. “Some management companies list vacant apartments and request non-refundable application fees,” a third person wrote. “They make more money on application fees than collecting rent.”
“People came up with interesting ideas!” said Sam Levine, who runs the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). “For policy development, it’s an interactive process. It’s like nothing I’ve done in my career.”
The last of five Rental Ripoff hearings, one for each borough, was in Staten Island this week. “I’m sad they’re over!” Levine said.
Mamdani came to Gracie Mansion on the strength of mass engagement from his supporters, including the 104,400 volunteers who knocked on doors daily during his campaign. His first hundred days in office end today, and his goals for the period have been twofold: show those supporters meaningful progress on their concerns, and expand participation in New York City democracy even more.
Arrayed around the room were posterboards, which not only asked tenants what problems they faced but sought their input on policy proposals brainstormed by staff, like fining landlords who don’t make repairs, making it easier to form tenant unions, or enabling the city to take over buildings when there are serial violations. Placing a sticker by the proposal signaled approval. But in addition, the public could also write their own policy alternatives on Post-It notes. And they did.
“Require transparency on who landlords (LLC) are so [we] can hold them accountable,” read one note. Another suggested a crackdown on charging market rates when the unit is rent-stabilized so the landlord could pocket the difference. “Some management companies list vacant apartments and request non-refundable application fees,” a third person wrote. “They make more money on application fees than collecting rent.”
“People came up with interesting ideas!” said Sam Levine, who runs the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). “For policy development, it’s an interactive process. It’s like nothing I’ve done in my career.”
The last of five Rental Ripoff hearings, one for each borough, was in Staten Island this week. “I’m sad they’re over!” Levine said.
Mamdani came to Gracie Mansion on the strength of mass engagement from his supporters, including the 104,400 volunteers who knocked on doors daily during his campaign. His first hundred days in office end today, and his goals for the period have been twofold: show those supporters meaningful progress on their concerns, and expand participation in New York City democracy even more.
https://prospect.org/2026/04/10/zohran-mamdani-getting-new-york-city-believe-in-government/