Mayor Zohran Mamdani Under Fire for Publishing Names, Addresses of New York City Property Owners

Mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s administration is facing backlash after publishing a searchable database listing the names and addresses of hundreds of thousands of New York City property owners who could potentially be subject to the city’s new pied-à-terre tax.

The database released by the city’s Department of Finance identified properties that could fall under the new surcharge on certain properties that are valued at $1 million or more and that aren’t used as an owner’s primary residence.

Officials said state law requires the list of properties to be published, but just because a property was listed in the database, it didn’t necessarily mean a homeowner would ultimately owe the tax.

Critics argued that the database was too broad and exposed homeowners’ personal information that wasn’t necessary. According to an article from the New York Post published on Monday, July 27, the list included hundreds of thousands of properties — far more than the roughly 31,000 homes officials initially estimated would have to pay the tax.

Council Minority Leader David Carr slammed the move.

“It’s a reckless and foolish move, especially considering there are potentially thousands of properties on this list that do not qualify as second homes or whose owners will successfully dispute their inclusion,” he told the publication.

The New York Post also reported that the list included properties in middle-class neighborhoods, as well as one property that appeared to be an outdoor shopping center.

Several celebrities were on the list, including Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon, Woody Allen and Anna Wintour.

However, the Department of Finance stressed that this was a standard move.

“As per State law, a property roll was released for public inspection,” a spokesperson from the department told the outlet. “From this list, DOF will identify properties that may be subject to the new non-primary residence property surcharge.”