A New York City councilwoman running for Congress allegedly lived rent-free in a luxury Queens high-rise for five months and now owes her former landlord $25,000, according to court documents reported by the New York Post.
Julie Won, who represents western Queens on the city council and is seeking a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, stopped paying rent on her condominium unit in the fall of 2025, her ex-landlord claims. The property owner says Won remained in the apartment until early 2026 despite repeated demands for payment.
The allegations come at a critical time for Won’s congressional campaign. She’s running in a competitive Democratic primary to represent a district that stretches from Queens into parts of Brooklyn, positioning herself as a progressive voice on housing affordability and tenant protections.
According to the landlord’s legal filing, Won signed a lease for the upscale unit but fell behind on payments starting in September 2025. Despite notices and attempts to resolve the matter, she continued occupying the residence without paying rent through January 2026. The landlord is now seeking the full $25,000 in back rent plus legal fees.
Won’s council office did not respond to requests for comment about the unpaid rent allegations. Her congressional campaign website emphasizes her work on affordable housing issues and tenant rights, causes that have defined much of her political career since winning her council seat.
The case highlights an uncomfortable irony for voters evaluating candidates who legislate on housing policy while facing questions about their own rent obligations. Won has been a vocal supporter of tenant protections and has backed measures to limit rent increases and expand affordable housing in New York City.
For Queens residents already frustrated with rising housing costs, the allegations may raise questions about whether their elected representatives practice what they preach. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Queens now exceeds $2,800 per month, putting pressure on working families throughout the borough.
The landlord’s legal action is ongoing. Won has not publicly addressed whether she disputes the amount owed or the characterization of her departure from the property. The case could become a significant liability as she faces voters in what’s expected to be a closely watched congressional primary later this year.
Key Points
- Julie Won’s ex-landlord claims she stopped paying rent in fall 2025 and lived rent-free for five months in a luxury Queens condo
- The councilwoman now owes $25,000 in back rent according to legal filings, even as she campaigns for Congress on affordable housing issues
- Won has not publicly responded to the allegations despite her prominent advocacy for tenant protections and housing affordability
https://nypost.com/2026/06/07/us-news/nyc-councilwoman-and-congressional-candidate-julie-won-squatted-in-luxe-queens-condo-landlord/ – June 07, 2026
