Rent Guidelines Board Takes Step Toward A Rent Freeze

Rent Guidelines Board Takes Step Toward A Rent Freeze

Briefly

"The Rent Guidelines Board pushed the mayor's rent freeze promise forward Thursday night, advancing a preliminary range of rent levels that includes no increase for the city's rent stabilized tenants. They will vote on a final number in June."

"In a brief meeting, the board voted to advance rent adjustments of 0 to 2 percent for one-year leases and 0 to 4 percent for two-year leases. Rent-stabilized tenants have the option of one- or two-year renewals. The board will vote in June on a final rent level that will affect lease renewals signed starting in October."

"Outside Thursday's hearing, tenant groups called on the board to freeze the rent, pointing to the city's cost of living crisis and the risk of displacement for households living on the edge of affordability. "[To me it means] extra money to pay for my medicine, to live a more affordable life, to pay for bills," said Sarah Delany, a rent stabilized tenant from Highbridge, Bronx. "Cost of living is rising but our money is not.""

"The Rent Guidelines Board, which is made up of nine members-two representing tenants, two representing landlords, four public members, and a board chair-froze the rent three times under Mayor Bill de Blasio but has never enacted a rent freeze on two-year leases, something this board will consider. Elisa Martinez, a member of the New York State Tenant Bloc, said a two-year freeze would give rent stabilized tenants like her father more security."