Rent Freeze Extended Again, But Only Partially

As expected, the nine-member Rent Guidelines Board voted for a second straight year to freeze rents for one-year leases in rent stabilized units.

Rising taxes, increased risk of litigation and a more complex regulatory environment requiring full-time professionals to navigate were among the reasons cited by landlords that a rent freeze could cause expenses to outpace operating income.

Tenants’ groups have argued that factors like lower fuel costs should make it possible for building owners to take the hit.

“[The vote] failed to take into account the real expenses in operating multifamily buildings in New York City,” Community Housing Improvement Program executive directive Patrick Siconolfi said in a statement.

Municipal taxes make up the highest percentage of a building’s operating expenses, CHIP’s statement says. Patrick's organization represents roughly 3,500 small owners of about 400,000 multifamily properties across the five boroughs.

Rents for two-year leases were not frozen, and will be allowed a 2% raise.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's New York Newsletters
Related Stories

DFW Multifamily Distress Creates Opening For Investors As Development Slows

Security Tech Firm Plans Loudoun HQ Move: The D.C. Deal Sheet

Prolific South Florida Developer Nick Rojo Dies At 44

25 Years After 9/11, Lower Manhattan Is Finally Firing On All Cylinders

Davis Looks To Sell 16-Building Beacon Hill, Back Bay Portfolio

Tishman Speyer Seeks $92M Tax Break For Next Hudson Yards Office Tower

Limekiln Sells Stake In Multifamily Lender MF1 To Berkshire Residential

Lender Requests Receiver For X Denver Apartment Building Near Coors Field

First LaSalle Street Reimagined Conversion Opens In Chicago's Loop

SL Green Selling SoHo Building For $226M

Independence Realty Trust To Buy Centerspace, Creating $8.1B REIT

Longtime Altman Living Exec Tim Peterson Leaving Firm