Governor Moves To Ban Utility Shutoffs In Buildings Where Landlords Don't Pay

By Samantha Maldonado, The City

Jan. 13, 2026, 5:00 a.m.

The governor is trying to keep the lights, gas and water on in buildings where the landlord isn’t paying the bills.

As part of the State of the State address she will deliver on Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Kathy Hochul will propose a statewide measure to prevent utilities from shutting off services to tenants in apartments when landlords are behind on payments, THE CITY has learned.

Currently, when property owners don’t pay for gas, electric or water bills, utility companies may cut services — or threaten to — for the residents who usually don’t have a way to intervene. In the governor’s proposed legislation, utility companies would be able put liens on properties for nonpayment instead of shutting off services.

“For too long, tenants who have faithfully paid their bills have had their utilities shut off through no fault of their own when their landlords fail to do the same,” Hochul said in a statement. “No tenant should pay the price when a landlord fails to pay their utility bills.”

Each year, Hochul uses her State of the State address to lay out legislative priorities for the new bill- and budget-making session in Albany. This year, she will also make her pitch for her own reelection, as she’s facing a primary challenge by Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Republican Bruce Blakeman, who currently serves as Nassau County executive, is also running for governor.

Most of Hochul’s proposals, whether funding commitments or new legislation, will need cooperation from state lawmakers to become reality.

She’s unveiled a slew of proposals in recent weeks, including measures to tackle 3D-printed guns, protect children from online scams and predators, and fund two years of free childcare for New York City’s 2-year-olds.

On the energy and environmental side, Hochul will also propose a sales tax exemption for electricity purchased from commercial electric vehicle chargers, as well as measures to make it easier for schools to install solar projects, as first reported by Politico.
She will also announce a goal to build five gigawatts of new nuclear power in the state, up from the current one gigawatt aim. And she wants to commit $3.75 billion to invest in water systems over the next five years.

This press release was produced by The City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.