Preliminary Rent Guidelines Board Public Meeting Schedule

The city Rent Guidelines Board, which sets annual increases for the 1,000,000 rent-stabilized households in New York City, is about to begin its public meetings which will lead to the voting on preliminary guidelines on May 8, followed by a public hearing and final vote in late June.

Tenants will demand the end of the RGB’s “poor tax”—the surcharge on low-rent apartments, which is contributing to the disappearance of apartments affordable to low-income New Yorkers. With this year’s high fuel costs, landlords can be expected to demand steep increases, while tenants will argue that rents are already too high. Last year, when owners’ costs went up 0.03% and their profits increased 11%, the RGB imposed rent increases of 2% for a one-year lease renewal and 4% for two years.

This year’s public meetings are tentatively scheduled as follows:

March 21
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
22 Reade Street,
Manhattan Public meeting

March 28
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
22 Reade Street,
Manhattan Public meeting

April 11
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
22 Reade Street,
Manhattan Public meeting

April 25
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
22 Reade Street, Manhattan

May 2
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
22 Reade Street,
Manhattan
Invited landlord and tenant testimony

May 8
5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
N.Y. County Lawyers Ass’n
Preliminary Vote—Tenant turnout needed
14 Vesey Street, Manhattan

June 6
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
22 Reade Street, Manhattan
Public meeting

Note: These dates, times and places are subject to change, and should be confirmed by calling the RGB at (212) 385-2934, checking the RGB Website at www.housingNYC.com, or calling Met Council at (212) 693-0553.