NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — Anyone looking for an apartment in New York City right now knows it’s almost impossible to find something at a reasonable price.
And when they do, it’s often units that require constant repairs.
The average rent in Manhattan hit a high of $6,555, with studios and one‑bedroom apartments reaching a record $5,486. Two and three‑bedroom rents also continued to climb compared to 2025, according to a report by the Corcoran Group.
Studios and one‑bedrooms are averaging $4,302, in Brooklyn, rising 6% over the past year with recorded data since 2023. Two‑bedroom rents increased 2% annually to $5,547, and three‑bedroom rents remained unchanged from last July at $7,161, according to the same report.
Elected officials, advocates and community leaders gathered at City Hall Park on Wednesday to call for stronger tenant protections and lower rents.
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They also presented a report by Assemblymember Tony Simone outlining 32 legislative actions aimed at addressing the housing crisis.
Some of the housing acts highlighted in the report are included below:
Tenant Protection Strengthening Act
A659 / S9650 prohibits landlords receiving 421‑a tax benefits from including false or misleading information about rent decontrol in leases or renewals.
Hazard Free Homes Act
Allows tenants to repair hazardous housing code violations when landlords fail to act and deduct the cost of repairs from their rent.
Penalties for Rent Overcharges Act
A654 / S467 Increases penalties for property owners who overcharge tenants in rent‑regulated housing.
NYCHA Vacant Unit Database Act
A794 requires NYCHA to create and maintain a public database of vacant units, including how long they’ve been empty, repair timelines and projected availability. Updated quarterly.
If enacted in Albany, officials say the pro‑housing package would be among the strongest in the country.
You can access the full report here.
Nicole Alarcon is an award-winning digital content producer. She has covered local news for the tri-state area since 2021. She joined PIX11 News in 2026. See more of her work here.
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