Housing Law Updates · New York
New York Settlement Targets Illegal Tenant Blacklisting and Housing Court Screening
A September 18, 2026 settlement addressed the use of prior Housing Court records to deny rental applicants and the collection of unlawful apartment-holding deposits.
Reviewed 2026-10-02
Legal information, not individual legal advice
What the Attorney General announced
On September 18, 2026, the New York Attorney General announced a settlement with Brooklyn High Rise LLC. The Attorney General alleged that the firm denied housing to prospective tenants based on Housing Court records involving previous landlords and also charged apartment-holding deposits that were not always returned.
Housing Court history cannot be used as a shortcut
New York law restricts landlords from refusing to rent to a person because that person was involved in a prior landlord-tenant court case. The Attorney General describes this practice as tenant blacklisting and recommends that landlords and brokers avoid requesting or relying on landlord-tenant court records in rental screening.
Settlement relief
The Attorney General stated that applicants whose applications were denied or withdrawn during the covered period would be contacted and may qualify for payments, and that the company agreed to end the challenged screening practices and pay penalties and restitution.
What applicants should preserve
- Rental application and screening reports.
- Denial letters, emails, or texts.
- Any statement referring to a Housing Court case.
- Receipts for application, holding, or good-faith deposits.
- The name of the broker, owner, or screening company.
Primary and authoritative sources
Continue reading
Eviction Defense
New York Eviction Defense: What to Do From the First Notice Through Court
A step-by-step guide to nonpayment and holdover cases, court papers, evidence, defenses, judgments, warrants, stays, and emergency help.
Eviction Defense
New York Nonpayment Evictions: Rent Demands, Answers, Defenses, and Court Process
How New York nonpayment cases work, including the 14-day demand, tenant answer forms, ledgers, defenses, and payment-related evidence.
Eviction Defense
New York Holdover Evictions: Notices, Lease Termination, and Defenses
A guide to holdover cases involving lease expiration, termination, alleged violations, nuisance, occupants, and possession disputes.
Emergency Rights
Illegal Lockouts in New York: Emergency Steps for Lawful Occupants
What lawful occupants can do when locks are changed, belongings are removed, utilities are shut off, or force is used instead of court process.
Repairs & Conditions
New York Repairs and the Warranty of Habitability
How to document unsafe conditions, notify the landlord, use inspections, and seek repair orders under New York law.