Judge Upholds Rent Freeze for Rent-Stabilized Apartments

New York State Supreme Court Judge Debra James recently upheld the Rent Guidelines Board’s 2016 decision to freeze rents for all stabilized rental units in the City of New York. It was the second year in a row that the RGB chose to freeze rents for stabilized units.             

Judge James ruled against the lawsuit by the Rent Stabilization Association. The organization had argued that the law governing the board requires it to account for the finances of a building, not tenants' rising costs. In her determination, the judge cited a prior court case she believes supports the tenant advocates. She also noted the board's longstanding, unchallenged practice of considering tenant affordability.

The RSA plans to appeal.