New Bill Would Force Landlord Talks

Tenant organizing is old in New York. The new part is the state trying to give it actual legal teeth. On April 14, State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero introduced the Tenant Power Act, a bill that would let tenants form recognized unions and require landlords to meet with them in good faith. It would also create a statewide tenant association backed by a $50 million appropriation. That is a bigger shift than it sounds — because right now, a tenant union can make noise, but it usually cannot force the owner to the table. (legislation.nysenate.gov) ### What is this bill actually doing? Basically, it writes tenant unions into New York law. In buildings with two or more units, tenants could form a union by filing a petition signed by tenants representing a majority of occupied units. Once recognized, that union could choose bargaining representatives and deal with the landlord as a collective body instead of as isolated households. (legislation.nysenate.gov) ### What would landlords have to do? The core requirement is “confer in good faith.” The bill defines that pretty plainly — meet and discuss issues of common concern, and put agreements in writing. Those issues are broad. They include lease terms and duration, housing conditions, health issues, privacy matters, community life, and landlord-tenant relations. So this is not j(legislation.nysenate.gov)legislation.nysenate.gov) ### Why is that a big change? Because tenant unions already exist, but mostly as pressure groups. They can rally, file complaints, call the press, and show up in housing court. What they usually cannot do is point to a statute and say: you must meet with us, and you must discuss this. The bill tries to move tenant organizing a little closer to labor-style bargaining — not identical, but closer in structure and leverage. That is the real headline here. (legislation.nysenate.gov) ### What records would tenants get? A lot. The bill’s definition of “records” includes rent rolls, properties owned, names of individual principals, operating income and expenses, debt service and loan terms, assessed and outstanding taxes, penalties, fines, fees, tenant complaints, and communications with tenants. That matters because one of the oldest fights in housing po(legislation.nysenate.gov) do not. This bill tries to narrow that gap. (legislation.nysenate.gov) ### What counts as a “major decision”? The bill uses that phrase for things like a sale, transfer, or conversion of a property, projected rent increases, and significant alterations to the premises or services. In plain English — if an owner wants to make a big move that changes the economics or livability of the building, the tenant union is supposed to have visibility and(legislation.nysenate.gov)intrusion into management rights. (legislation.nysenate.gov) ### What is the $50 million for? The legislation would create a statewide tenant association and a related fund, with a $50 million appropriation in the bill text. So this is not just a right-on-paper proposal. It also tries to build an organizing infrastructure that could help tenants form unions, train leaders, and navigate disputes. Supporters clearly want a permanent institution, not a one-off pilot. (nysenate.gov) ### Where does the bill stand now? It is early. Both versions were introduced on April 14, 2026. The Senate bill, S9912, was referred to the Finance Committee, and the Assembly version, A10991, was referred to the Housing Committee. So this is a live proposal, not enacted law. There is still a long way between introduction and passage. (nysenate.gov)pt to turn tenant unions from informal building-level campaigns into legally recognized bargaining bodies. If it passed, landlords would not just hear from angry renters — they would have to deal with an organized counterpart that can demand meetings, documents, and written agreements. (legislation.nysenate.gov)