Overview
- The petition, filed Wednesday in Richmond County Supreme Court, asks a judge to annul the Rent Guidelines Board's June 25 vote that set 0% increases for one- and two-year rent-stabilized leases and to keep last year's 3% and 4.5% guidelines in place while the case moves forward.
- Lawyers for seven landlord plaintiffs, including former Adams deputy Randy Mastro, seek expedited discovery of communications between City Hall, the RGB and mayoral offices and have a virtual hearing scheduled for Sept. 2 that could affect the freeze set to take effect Oct. 1.
- The complaint says Mayor Zohran Mamdani packed the board with allies and used the Office of Mass Engagement's canvassing of tenants and a mayoral briefing to shape public testimony, which the landlords call a preordained, improper influence on an independent panel.
- Plaintiffs challenge the RGB's financial analysis, arguing the board overstated net operating income by mixing market-rate revenue with stabilized-unit income and left out mortgage debt service, which landlords say masks losses in fully stabilized buildings.
- The case sets up a legal clash with broader housing disputes: tenant groups defend the freeze as necessary relief based on affordability data, while landlords warn the freeze will force deferred maintenance, building sales and further financial strain without targeted owner aid.