Rents Going Up for Leases Renewing Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026. Can You Afford It? Fight Back!

How much could your rent go up when you renew your lease, starting Oct. 1, 2025?
In a preliminary vote and then a re-vote, the mayor’s Rent Guidelines Board approved the extortionate range of:

1.75%–4.75% for a 1-year lease
3.75%–7.75% for a 2-year lease

Why is this outrageous?
Because latest data show owners made 12.1% in profits—the highest jump since 1990.

When will the RGB take the final vote?
Monday, June 30, at El Museo del Barrio, Fifth Ave. and 104th St. Doors open at 6 p.m.

BEFORE THAT . . .
TELL THE MAYOR AND THE RGB:
“I NEED A RENT FREEZE, NOT A RENT HIKE!”

Tell your story to the RGB by Tuesday, June 17

• Testify in person at the Manhattan public hearing on Tuesday, June 17—you get 2 minutes to tell how these exorbitant increases will affect you.
  Location: Symphony Space, Broadway and 95th St. Register online or at the meeting, 5–8 p.m.

Hate public speaking? Choose one or more of these:

• Leave a voice message (2 minutes) at (929) 256-5472. State your name clearly at the beginning.
• Write your message: Online form
• Make a video (2 minutes). Upload here
• Make an audio (2 minutes). Upload here

When you begin, state your name clearly. Please note that any submitted testimony (video, audio, or written) may be accessible to the public.

Tell your story to Mayor Eric Adams (he appoints the RGB and can sway them)

• Voice message at (212) 788-3000
• Mail him at Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall, New York, NY 10007
• X message him at @NYCMayor

Show me more at the RGB main page.

I’m ready to demand a rent freeze. What should I say?
Make it brief . . . make it personal—the more personal the better.

Remember: Whatever the RGB decides will affect your life—and landlords are still making serious profits.

1. Introduce yourself

• State your name clearly
• Say you live in Stuyvesant Town or Peter Cooper Village
• How long you have lived in your apartment
• How you make a living (optional)
• Whether you have children or other dependents for whom you are financially responsible

2. Talk about the economic hardship you’re facing

• Are you paying more than 30% of your income for rent? That’s being rent burdened.
• Has your income not kept up with the cost of living—especially with rising rent?
• Do you live on a fixed income?
• Are you supporting your children or other members of your household?
• Are you working two or more jobs to make ends meet?
• How are you cutting back? What are you doing without?
• What will you do if you can’t afford the rent?

3. Wrap-up

• A rent increase of 1.75%–4.75% for a 1-year lease and 3.75%–7.75% for a 2-year lease is unsustainable.
• It may force me out of my home and the community I love.
• This is why I am asking you to vote for a RENT FREEZE!

The above are suggested items. Anything else you think compelling is fair game.

4. Final step: Practice speaking your testimony to make sure you’re within the allowed 2 minutes.