With 2027 only about 13 weeks away, but New York City is not just welcoming fall vibes this Thursday, October 1st. The new month brings Fall changes, including more football, possibly more postseason baseball (Yankees fans hope) and the inevitable return of sub-60-degree weather.
On a legislative side, the five boroughs also welcome changes that impact rent, healthcare products and consumer safety.
Here’s what to look out for in October in New York City:
Rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments
New leases or renewals set between Oct. 1, 2026 and Sept. 30, 2027 will have a 0% increase, impacting about 1 million rent-stabilized units for 1-year and 2-year leases.
For more details, click here.
Prohibiting harmful chemicals in menstrual & intimate care products
This one kicks in on Oct. 10, but a new bill aims to end the sale of menstrual or intimate care products that intentionally feature added ingredients that are harmful to human health, including chemicals and fragrance as specified in the bill.
Additionally, no later than 90 days after the New York State Department of Health promulgates regulations establishing the lowest level that can be achieved of harmful substances, including those specified in the bill, in menstrual and intimate care products the New York City Department of Health would be required to adopt such threshold levels by rule and maintain a list of products that contain such substances at or above such established threshold levels.
Two years after DOHMH adopts such threshold levels by rule, this bill would prohibit the sale, offer for sale and distribution of menstrual products or intimate care products that contain such substances at or above such threshold levels. Violations would be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for each violation.
‘Click to Cancel’ rule starts Thursday
Starting Thursday, New York City is banning companies from using subscription traps and junk fees, ensuring New Yorkers can easily cancel automatic renewals and ongoing service offers.
Because companies often impose time-consuming hurdles to canceling subscriptions, or offer free trials that eventually turn into recurring charges, the click-to-cancel rule requires transparency when customers purchase, enroll in, or cancel services. Customers can file complaints by calling 311 or via NYC’s consumer page.
According to the city’s website, the “Click-to-cancel” rule means:
- Companies must clearly explain subscription terms
- Companies must clearly disclose consumers’ rights when buying or cancelling subscriptions
- Companies must provide a straightforward cancellation process in the same method as sign-up
- Companies cannot ask that you pay to ship them things they gave you for free
Residential heat and hot water requirements
Not new, but here’s a timely reminder on heat and hot water requirements for landlords and building owners.
From Oct. 1 through May 31, New York City requires building owners to provide tenants with heat according to the following rules:
- Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature must be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Between 10 p.m. and 6 p.m., the inside temperature must be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. There is no outside temperature requirement.
Complaints can be made about residential buildings without enough hot water at any time of the year, as required by the city. For more, click here.
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