The New York City Council passed a bill limiting landlords’ use of criminal records to screen tenants, aiming to address housing accessibility and prevent homelessness among those with convictions. The legislation allows landlords to consider misdemeanor convictions from the past three years and felony convictions from the past five years. It’s a result of negotiations between criminal justice reform advocates, landlord groups, and city officials. While some support the bill as striking a balance, others, like Mary Ann Rothman from the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums, criticize it as overly broad, expressing concerns about community safety. Mayor Eric Adams signaled support for the bill, emphasizing its intended impact and the safeguards in place.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/nyregion/criminal-background-checks-tenants.html