Archive · 29 Sep 2025
Eviction in NYC: Fewer Cases, But Challenges Remain
Getting evicted in NYC is now harder than before.
New laws give tenants more rights and access to lawyers, making it tougher for landlords to evict them.
As a result, eviction cases are way down.
This helps people stay in their homes, but also makes it harder and more expensive for newcomers to find a place to live, as landlords become more cautious about who they rent to.
NYC saw the lowest apartment vacancy rate in almost 60 years.
Landlords filed 50% fewer eviction cases compared to 2016.
Completed evictions have decreased by a quarter.
New laws in 2017 and 2019 transformed tenant legal landscape.
Newcomers find it harder and more expensive to find housing.
- Who
- New York City renters and landlords.
- What
- Eviction rates have decreased significantly due to new laws and legal representation for tenants.
- When
- Significant changes began in 2017 and 2019 with new laws.
- Where
- New York City.
- Why
- New laws and legal representation are making it harder to evict tenants.
Tenants
Landlords
Impact of New Laws
Tenants
Tenants benefit from increased protection against evictions and better access to legal resources.
Landlords
Landlords face challenges due to more complex legal processes and potential financial risks.
Housing Affordability
Tenants
Existing tenants are better off, but newcomers may face higher costs.
Landlords
Landlords are more cautious due to financial risks.
- Eviction Cases (2016)
- Pre-reform level
- Eviction Cases (Current)
- 50% fewer than 2016
- Completed Evictions
- Down by a quarter
- NYC Apartment Vacancy Rate
- Lowest in almost 60 years
- Tenant Legal Representation (Pre-reform)
- 1%
- Landlord Legal Representation (Pre-reform)
- 95%