We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
The Habitat Group Logo
  • NY Apartment Law
    • New York Apartment Law Insider
    • New York Landlord V. Tenant
    • Co-Op & Condo Case Law Digest
    • New York Rent Regulation Checklist, Fourth Edition
    • 2025 New York City Apartment Management Checklist
  • Fair & Affordable Housing
    • Fair Housing Coach
    • Assisted Housing Management Insider
    • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    • Fair Housing Boot Camp. Basic Training For New Hires
  • Commercial Lease Law
    • Commercial Lease Law Insider
    • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
      • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
    • Best Commercial Lease Clauses: Tenant's Edition
  • Guidebooks
  • May 28, 2025
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • May 28, 2025
ALI Logo.webp
  • Archives
  • Main Articles
    • Features
    • Management Basics
    • New Laws & Regs
    • Rent Increases
    • Court Watch
    • Violations
  • Departments
    • Dos & Dont's
    • Q&A
    • In the News
    • Landlord v. Tenant
    • Ask the Insider
  • eAlerts
  • Blogs
  • Building Management Calendar
Free Issue
The Habitat Group Logo
May 28, 2025
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • My Account
Home » City Council Speaker Airs Concerns Over Canceling Rent

City Council Speaker Airs Concerns Over Canceling Rent

May 21, 2020

On May 14, when asked about canceling rent on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer show, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for federal financial assistance to help struggling residents pay their rent. He noted that a cancellation of rent could further disrupt the city’s budget, which is in crisis.

“I think it’s important that we talk about the entire pipeline here—the entire food chain of how this works,” Johnson stated. “There are many landlords that use those rent payments to be able to pay their property taxes and real estate taxes or make their mortgage payments on their buildings.” If property tax payments can't be made, the city would be in a much worse financial position.

According to Johnson, $30 billion of the city’s now $89.3 billion budget comes from property tax payments. “We have to think about these things holistically because we can’t be in a situation where people are not able to pay their property taxes, which then devastates the city’s budget even more,” he said.

Johnson has stated since the interview that he still supports rent relief through cancellation but has made it clear that the only way to do that is to get federal money.

Johnson is sponsoring a bill that proposes up to a year-long pause on evictions for New Yorkers impacted by COVID-19. Under the bill, city marshals and sheriffs would be barred from claiming and restoring property or executing money judgments, usually the amount of back rent owed, during the pandemic. The legislation would also prevent city officials from collecting debts and carrying out evictions on New Yorkers impacted by COVID-19 until April 2021. The measure is intended as a stopgap solution for renters until the state and federal government can provide greater relief.

 

 

In the News
    • Related Articles

      Council Speaker Hopefuls Urge City to Reform Property Tax System

      City Council Adopts Rent Regulations Resolutions Package

      City Council Limits Owners' Attempts to Buy Out Rent-Stabilized Tenants

    • Publications
      • Assisted Housing Management Insider
      • Commercial Lease Law Insider
      • Co-op & Condo Case Law Tracker Digest
      • Fair Housing Coach
      • New York Apartment Law Insider
      • New York Landlord v. Tenant
      • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    • Additional Links
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
      • Group Subscriptions
      • Privacy Policy
    • Boards of Advisors
      • Assisted Housing Management Insider
      • Commercial Lease Law Insider
      • Fair Housing Coach
      • New York Apartment Law Insider
      • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    ©2025. All Rights Reserved. Content: The Habitat Group. CMS, Hosting & Web Development: ePublishing