Evictions and housing court news from New York City Council (Oct. 22)

What New York City Council announced on Oct. 22, 2026, what it means for New York renters and landlords, and where to read the original.

By Seayora Newsroom · Published October 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Summarized from New York City Council’s announcement of October 22, 2026.

Short answer: On Oct. 22, 2026, New York City Council announced: “This bill would create a new complaint category on 311, allowing tenants to report that they were unlawfully locked out of their apartments. The bill would also require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to report annually on illegal lockout complaints and cases in New York City.” This brief quotes the announcement, adds the standing rules it touches and links to the original.

Key takeaways

New York City Council published this on Oct. 22, 2026; read the original before acting on any summary of it.
In New York City a tenant can be removed only by court order; a lockout or a utility shutoff is an unlawful eviction (Admin. Code § 26-521), and many tenants in Housing Court qualify for a free lawyer (right to counsel).
Landlords: follow the notice and court steps in order; skipping one is the commonest reason a case is dismissed.

What was announced?

In its own words, New York City Council said: “This bill would create a new complaint category on 311, allowing tenants to report that they were unlawfully locked out of their apartments. The bill would also require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to report annually on illegal lockout complaints and cases in New York City.”

Read the full announcement: Int 1139-2026: Requiring the department of housing preservation and development to report on unlawful evictions and adding a new 311 complaint category relating to unlawful evictions.

What does it mean for New York landlords and tenants?

A City Council bill would add a new 311 complaint category so tenants can report being unlawfully locked out of their apartments, and would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to report annually on illegal lockout complaints and cases. For renters, this means a dedicated way to flag lockouts through 311. As a standing matter, tenants in New York City can only be removed through a court order; a lockout or utility shutoff outside that process is an unlawful eviction, and many tenants in Housing Court may qualify for free legal representation.

In New York City a tenant can be removed only by court order; a lockout or a utility shutoff is an unlawful eviction (Admin. Code § 26-521), and many tenants in Housing Court qualify for a free lawyer (right to counsel).

What should you do next?

Landlords: follow the notice and court steps in order; skipping one is the commonest reason a case is dismissed.
Tenants: answer the court papers and ask the court about free legal help before the first date.

Sources

How Seayora helps

The eviction navigator: The steps, the deadlines and the record, with the court links for your county.

This brief summarizes an official announcement in the agency’s own words. It is general information, not legal advice, and no attorney has reviewed it; read the original and check the current rule for your property before acting on it.

How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.

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