Middletown introduces ‘‘good cause’’ eviction local law after public hearing; council to vote June 17

Mayor DeStefano and the Middletown Common Council opened a public hearing June 3 on a proposed local law to adopt "good cause" eviction protections, and the council introduced the measure as Local Law No. 2 of 2025. The mayor said he supports the city moving forward and urged the council to balance tenant protections with landlord rights. The council set a vote for its next meeting on June 17; if approved the law will require an additional public hearing before the mayor signs it and will take effect when filed with the New York State Secretary of State.

The proposal would prevent landlords from removing tenants without a court-recognized reason ("good cause") and would limit allowable rent increases to a state-set formula rather than instituting rent control, Mayor DeStefano said. "This is not rent control," the mayor said, adding that the allowable increase is set by New York state and that the law includes exemptions for owner-occupied buildings and other specified circumstances. He summarized the city's intent as creating housing stability while preserving landlords' ability to recoup qualifying capital expenditures.

The public hearing drew tenant advocates, legal services attorneys and residents who urged rapid adoption. Vanessa Sid, an organizer with For the Many and a lifelong Middletown resident, said, "I'm thrilled to see that our community's voices have been heard," and urged the council to pass the measure soon. Bravin Ranga, political…