How about if the people in New york who live in 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhomes, stand up, and tell their landlords that they're getting $1200?

Then their landlords will evict them and rent to tenants who are willing to pay more.

Good luck with that & have fun being homeless.

Then there would be a whole bunch of people evicted.

Since there is a flood of people out of New York into less populated states, soon there will be no one left to rent TO.

If you want to live in another place, you are free to move, assuming you can work remotely. Be aware that Wayne, Maine may not have all the dining and entertainment experiences available to you that New York does. 

I know someone who did, actually - was told he could work remotely. A few months later they terminated him and told him he could work under a renewable contract - of course, no hours guaranteed. 

Since New Yorkers are moving here he and his spouse have put in full price offers on homes and have been out bid. It's nuts.

ETA $1200 won't get you a nice apartment in Portland, Maine.

How about the landlords tell you that you will be evicted and have bad credit for 7 years?