WABC: The Rent Guidelines Board held a rare revote on its preliminary decision to raise rents on nearly one million rent-stabilized apartments.
One-year leases were still due to increase 1.75% to 4.75%. The board decided to lower the increase on two-year leases from 4.75% to 7.75% to 3.75% to 7.75%.
The nine-member Rent Guidelines Board has two owner representatives, two tenant representatives, and five public members.
Legal Aid said in part, “In the weeks ahead, we urge the Board to listen to tenants, hear their concerns, and recognize how reckless it would be to raise rents on poor and working-class households in these unprecedented times.
Last month, the preliminary rate hikes disappointed both tenants and landlords, who expressed their frustration with the decision. Next year, the board members, who are appointed by the mayor, may not be back if there’s a new mayor elected.
“We’re demanding that the next mayor pledge for a rent freeze. And it won’t be Adams, I got news for you. And it won’t be Cuomo either,” said Joanne Grell of CASA, last month.
