Landlords Challenge Rent Freeze; Tenants Respond with Legal Filing

On June 25, 2026, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board voted for a rent freeze for rent-stabilized leases starting or renewing October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Landlords filed a lawsuit to nullify the freeze, and on Friday, August 14, Rent Freeze Defense, composed of tenants and their advocates, moved to intervene in the lawsuit.

Filing in the State Supreme Court in Richmond County, owners asserted that the RGB had acted to deliver on “Mayor Mamdani’s campaign promise to freeze rents” and that his actions had compromised the board’s independence.

As set forth in the tenants’ motion, the RGB’s decision was adopted in the wake of years of excessive rent increases, rising owner net operating income, and crushing rent burdens for tenants.

Rent Freeze Defense press release