"Zohran's legislative proposal, aligned with political interests, exempts Zohran from its housing regulations"
As of August 2025, the proposed "Zohran's Law" in New York State remains a proposal and has not been enacted into law. This initiative, put forth by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, aims to regulate rent-stabilized apartments in New York City, particularly targeting high-income individuals who are perceived to "game the system" and displace lower-income residents.
The core idea of the law is to impose income limits on tenants applying for newly vacant rent-stabilized units. Specifically, Cuomo's proposal would cap incoming tenant incomes so that the rent is no more than 30% of their income. For example, if a rent-stabilized apartment rents for $2,500/month (equivalent to $30,000 per year), the tenant’s income could not exceed $100,000 annually to qualify.
The proposed law, named "Zohran's Law," would also ensure that tenants would not be evicted if their income rises after they move in. The income limit applies only at the point of new tenancy.
However, the proposal has met with skepticism and opposition from various stakeholders. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, indicated that it likely would not gain support in Albany. Tenant advocates have criticized the proposal for creating bureaucratic barriers, while some landlord groups have shown only muted interest.
One real estate source stated that the Cuomo campaign did not consult with the industry about the proposal. Cea Weaver, director of Housing Justice for All, called the proposal "completely impractical" and a potential disaster for both landlords and tenants.
The proposal reflects ongoing debates about how to protect rent-stabilized housing for lower- and middle-income residents amid New York City's housing crisis. Sam Stein, a housing policy analyst at the Community Service Society, believes that access to rent-stabilized housing shouldn't be limited.
The median household income for rent-stabilized units in 2022 was $60,000, according to the 2023 Housing and Vacancy Survey. It's unclear if landlords are taking the pitch for means testing rent-stabilized apartments seriously. The New York Apartment Association doesn't consider means-testing as their top concern, with Kenny Burgos, CEO of the association, stating that the more pressing issue is the survival of 200,000 bankrupt rent-stabilized apartments.
The Small Property Owners of New York has advocated for means testing in Albany, while it's worth noting that the proposal would not seem to apply to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, as he had vacated his rent-stabilized Astoria apartment.
In summary, the proposed "Zohran's Law" aims to regulate rent-stabilized housing in New York City by imposing income limits on tenants applying for newly vacant units and ensuring tenants would not be evicted if their income rises after moving in. However, the proposal has met with skepticism and opposition from various stakeholders, and its future remains uncertain.
The debate surrounding the "Zohran's Law" in New York State's politics centers around regulating rent-stabilized housing, particularly by imposing income limits on potential tenants. This policy-and-legislation initiative aims to protect lower-income residents by capping tenant incomes so that the rent is no more than 30% of their income, potentially affecting the housing market and leading to changes in general-news narratives. Despite the proposed law's intentions, it has faced opposition from tenant advocates, landlord groups, and even some politicians, casting doubt on its future enactment.
