Key facts
- New York City's Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rents for one year on approximately 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.
- The decision fulfills a key campaign promise of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- The vote was 7-1 in favor of the freeze.
- One board member resigned, alleging bias and a predetermined outcome.
- The freeze applies to one and two-year leases across all five boroughs.
New York City's Rent Guidelines Board has approved a one-year rent freeze for approximately one million rent-stabilized apartments, a key pledge from Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The board voted 7-1 in favor of the freeze on both one and two-year leases, a decision met with cheers from tenant rights groups. The vote followed the resignation of board member Christina Smyth, a landlord representative, who accused the panel of bias and a predetermined outcome. Smyth stated the rebuilt board was required to deliver a rent freeze and that subsequent events were 'theater.' Board chair Chantella Mitchell defended the board's independence and integrity, citing data that showed most tenants struggle with affordability due to rising housing costs. Landlord groups, however, warned that the freeze would negatively impact maintenance and repairs, potentially accelerating the deterioration of the housing stock. The freeze will be in effect across all five boroughs from October 2026 to September 2027.