City Politicians Urge RBG to Adopt 0% Guideline

Record increases in operating costs didn’t prevent some city politicians from calling on the Rent Guidelines Board to adopt a ZERO percent rent increase this year. During the two Public Hearings, testimony was heard from property owners about the thousands of dollars in still unpaid fuel charges, looming double-digit water and sewer increases and the burden of cost of living increases as well. Ignoring the concerns of property owners, some city politicians instead asked property owners to subsidize the city’s renters, regardless of whether they are poor, middle class or rich, by urging the RGB to adopt a rent freeze.

Before the Final Vote, Speaker Christine Quinn and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer along with tenant leaders held a rally in front of Cooper Union. They voiced their support for State Senator Tom Duane’s bill that would restructure the board, deny rent increases for one year on any unit with serious violations, and require the use of a landlord’s income and expense information in determining whether a rent increase is warranted.