Several new laws and rules go into effect for New York City starting Thursday, Oct. 1.

Take a look and what to know about the city’s rent freeze, the Click to Cancel law and even changes to SNAP benefits.

Rent freeze

New York City’s historic rent freeze officially goes into effect on Oct. 1 for more than one million rent-stabilized apartments.

The freeze applies to one and two-year leases signed after Sept. 30.

Several landlords sued after the Rent Guidelines Board approved the freeze back in June.

A judge ordered Mayor Zohran Mamdani, City Hall aides and the Rent Guidelines Board staff to hand over their phones and emails for reviews in the case.

But that same judge also ruled that the freeze could move forward as the lawsuit progresses.

Click to Cancel

New York City’s Click-to-Cancel rule also takes effect Thursday, with fines starting at $525 per violation.

A new online portal aims to make filing complaints faster and easier for New Yorkers. Residents can file complaints at nyc.gov/click-to-cancel.

“No one should need 45 minutes of hold music to stop paying for something they never wanted,” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers work too hard for their money to have it drained by a subscription they can’t cancel. If a company can take your money with one click, you should be able to get your money back with one click. And now, if they won’t let you cancel, the City is coming for them.”

New Yorkers should file a complaint if:

The business did not clearly explain the terms of the subscription.

The business made it difficult to cancel. For example, requiring a consumer who signed up online to cancel by phone or in person.

The business delayed canceling the subscription.

The business sent products the consumer did not request and expected the consumer to return or pay for them.

The business did not notify the consumer about changes to the subscription terms.

The business did not disclose that the subscription would automatically renew.

SNAP benefits

Major changes are coming on Oct. 1 for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance from the federal government.

In the short term, most families will see a slight bump in their monthly payments to help afford groceries. But in the coming months, households will face stricter eligibility requirements and changes to how the benefits are administered that could ultimately result in far fewer benefits.

An estimated five million Americans — including more than 1 million children — have already lost SNAP assistance over the past year as part of President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending law, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Mayor Mamdani has launched a citywide push to get SNAP benefits back to New Yorkers.

“Food should not be a luxury in New York City. This year, our administration used every tool at our disposal to help New Yorkers hold on to the food assistance they rely on, and more than 220,000 people were able to keep their SNAP benefits,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Now, we’re getting back to work to help New Yorkers who were left behind by these federal cuts get their benefits back. If you lost SNAP, we want you to know: The City is here to help you re-enroll and put food on your table.”

Ferry fares increasing

Also, NYC Ferry riders will soon pay more to get around the city, with fare increases set to take effect later this month. The fare hike will not go into effect for a couple weeks, but the price increase was just approved this week.

Beginning Oct. 19, the base fare for a one-way NYC Ferry ride will increase from $4.50 to $5. The price of a 10-trip pass will increase by $1, from $29 to $30. That brings the cost to $3 per ride, matching the base fare for subways and buses.

Discounted one-way tickets will also increase by a nickel, from $1.45 to $1.50, equal to half the MTA base fare.

The city’s Economic Development Corporation says rising operating and fuel costs are the reason for the fare increases.

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