Fighting the Rent Guidelines Board’s Proposed Rent Increases

Please see attached testimony I submitted on June 20 to the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) opposing any rent increases for rent regulated apartments as well as for lofts, hotels, rooming houses, single room occupancy buildings and lodging houses.  Given the continuing toll the recent economic recession has taken on average New Yorkers and the steady rent increases the RGB has approved in prior years, I am dismayed that the RGB approved rent increases of 3.75% for one-year and 7.25% for two-year rent stabilized leases.  The approval of these increases is further evidence that the RGB system is broken and unjust.  In addition to sponsoring (and advocating for) every pro-tenant bill, I am the author and prime sponsor of legislation that would reform the rent board system and level the playing field for tenants.