Cal. Civ. Code § 230
Right of tenants to form, join or participate in tenants' groups
Operative Text
§ 230. Right of tenants to form, join or participate in tenants' groups. 1. No landlord shall interfere with the right of a tenant to form, join or participate in the lawful activities of any group, committee or other organization formed to protect the rights of tenants; nor shall any landlord harass, punish, penalize, diminish, or withhold any right, benefit or privilege of a tenant under his tenancy for exercising such right. 2. Tenants' groups, committees or other tenants' organizations shall have the right to meet without being required to pay a fee in any location on the premises including a community or social room where use is normally subject to a fee which is devoted to the common use of all tenants in a peaceful manner, at reasonable hours and without obstructing access to the premises or facilities. No landlord shall deny such right.
New York Real Property Law § 230 establishes that tenants have a protected right to form, join, or participate in tenant organizations without interference from their landlord. Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against a tenant—through harassment, penalties, or the withholding of any tenancy benefit—because that tenant exercised this right. Additionally, tenant groups are entitled to meet in common areas of the premises, including fee-based community or social rooms, at no charge, as long as meetings are peaceful, held at reasonable hours, and do not block access to the building or its facilities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 230, compliant property owners and managers refrain from any action that could be construed as interference with, or retaliation against, a tenant's participation in a tenant organization. This includes avoiding changes to lease terms, services, or other tenancy benefits that are timed to or connected with a tenant's organizing activity. Operators also generally make common rooms and social spaces available to tenant groups for meetings at no cost, provided the gatherings are peaceful, occur at reasonable hours, and do not obstruct building access.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 230 gives New York tenants the right to organize, join, or take part in tenant groups without fear of landlord retaliation or interference. If a landlord withholds services, threatens eviction, imposes fees, or otherwise penalizes a tenant in connection with organizing activity, that conduct may constitute a violation of this statute, which tenants can raise as a defense in housing court proceedings or report to relevant housing agencies. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help tenants understand how § 230 applies to their circumstances and what enforcement paths may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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