NYC Rent-Stabilized Tenants Face Potential Hike as Board Votes to Raise Rents for Fourth Year
The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) is once again shaking the ground beneath the feet of over one million rent-stabilized tenants in New York City. In a narrow 5–4 preliminary vote last night, the board signaled its intent to increase rents for both one- and two-year leases—potentially marking the fourth consecutive year of rent hikes under Mayor Eric Adams’ appointees.
If finalized in June, the proposed increases would raise one-year leases by 1.75% to 4.75%, and two-year leases by 4.75% to 7.75%. These adjustments would take effect for new leases and lease renewals starting on or after October 1.
During the heated meeting, tenant representatives Adán Soltren and Genesis Aquino pushed for a full rent freeze, a call that echoed loudly outside LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, where dozens of renters gathered in protest.
Politics Meets Rent
With election season heating up, rent control has become a defining issue for mayoral hopefuls. Protesters accused current Mayor Adams of turning his back on tenants.
“He sold us out,” said Renette Bradley of HOPE Tenant Union. “We want to pay our rent, but we shouldn’t have to choose between bath soap and keeping a roof over our heads. That’s just wrong.”
Activists like Esteban Giron of the Crown Heights Tenant Union made it clear: “You can’t talk about the mayor’s race without talking about rent hikes.”
At least five mayoral candidates—Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, State Senator Jessica Ramos, former Assemblymember Michael Blake, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams—have publicly backed a rent freeze if elected. Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer has expressed past support but said he wouldn’t commit to a “blanket freeze” without reviewing the data.
Even Adams Has Concerns
While Mayor Adams has generally opposed a rent freeze, he released a statement criticizing the proposed upper-end increases as too high.
“A hike of up to 7.75% is simply too much for renters to bear,” he said. “With a 1.4% vacancy rate and an ongoing affordability crisis, this kind of increase is an unfair burden on working New Yorkers.”
Tenant advocates argue that landlords can handle a pause on rent increases. A recent RGB report found landlord incomes rose by 12.1% last year—evidence, advocates say, that tenants deserve a break.