Tenants' Right to Organize

Under New York Real Property Law § 230, tenants have the right to form tenant associations and hold tenant meetings on or in the property where they live. 

Tenants can form organizations for safe and affordable housing. Tenant rights to organize include: 

• Tenants can contact other tenants and give out information about organizing activities. 
• Non-tenants, such as organizers and lawyers, are allowed to join tenant organizing activities on private property if they are invited. 
• Tenant organizers can ask tenants for contact information to address problems such as repairs or the rent setting policies.
• Tenants can have meetings in common areas of a building or property. They can set up meeting items like table and chairs.
• Landlords are not allowed to interfere with the right of a tenant to start or be in an organization that fights for tenant rights.

Landlords and police must follow the law:

• Landlords must not harass or punish tenants for their right to organize.
• It is against the law for landlords to use force or try to break up tenant meetings. The police can enforce the law to protect tenants' rights. 
• Law enforcement can't break up tenant organizer meetings in a building, unless it's not peaceful. 
• Law enforcement can't decide a meeting is a fire hazard or other problem outside their expertise.