New York City Tenants Seek Mayor's Help Against 'Bad Landlords'

Residents share stories of mold, rats, and elevator outages as city promises crackdown

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:18pm

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An extremely blurred and abstracted photograph of a run-down apartment building exterior, with warm pools of light and color creating a soft, dreamlike atmosphere that evokes the challenges faced by low-income tenants.As New York City renters struggle with neglectful landlords, the mayor's promised crackdown offers hope for improved living conditions.NYC Today

Tenants in New York City's Bronx borough, including Gulhayo Yuldosheva, Marina Quiroz, and Tommy Rodriguez, are dealing with issues like mold, rat infestations, and lack of elevator access in their apartments. They attended a recent 'rental ripoff' hearing hosted by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and are hopeful his promised crackdown on 'bad landlords' will bring about changes, even as they acknowledge the many challenges ahead.

Why it matters

New York City has long struggled with substandard housing conditions, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. The mayor's pledge to crack down on negligent landlords could provide relief for struggling tenants, but overcoming entrenched issues like opaque building ownership will be a significant challenge.

The details

Gulhayo Yuldosheva worries the mold in her Bronx apartment is making her children sick, while downstairs neighbor Marina Quiroz deals with regular rat infestations and leaks that go unfixed. Tenant Tommy Rodriguez, who uses a wheelchair, says he was forced to 'slide down the steps, like a kid' during a monthslong elevator outage.

  • Several of the embattled neighbors attended a recent 'rental ripoff' hearing hosted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The players

Gulhayo Yuldosheva

A Bronx resident concerned about mold in her apartment potentially making her children sick.

Marina Quiroz

A Bronx resident who deals with regular rat infestations and unfixed leaks in her apartment.

Tommy Rodriguez

A Bronx resident who uses a wheelchair and was forced to 'slide down the steps, like a kid' during a monthslong elevator outage in his building.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has promised a crackdown on 'bad landlords'.

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The takeaway

The mayor's promised crackdown on negligent landlords could provide much-needed relief for struggling tenants in New York City, but overcoming entrenched issues like opaque building ownership will be a significant challenge that the city must address to truly improve housing conditions.