There a growing momentum behind a possible rent freeze for New York City’s roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments following a preliminary vote by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) at a meeting in Long Island City. The board approved potential ranges of 0%–2% increases for one-year leases and 0%–4% increases for two-year leases, keeping the possibility of a full rent freeze on the table ahead of a final vote scheduled for June 25.

Tenant advocacy groups packed the LaGuardia Community College meeting in Long Island City, arguing that rising housing costs are outpacing wages and pushing renters deeper into financial strain.

Landlord groups strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that freezing rents while operating costs continue rising could worsen building conditions, delay repairs, and financially strain small property owners. Tenant advocates countered that landlords have still seen revenue growth in recent years while housing violations continue increasing across the city.