Tenants protest against Adams as increases for rent-stabilized apartments go into effect

Increases for rent-stabilized apartments go into effect today with the potential to impact New York City’s nearly one million stabilized units

New leases and renewals occurring on or after Oct. 1st, 2025 through Sept. 30th, 2026 can see increases up to 3 percent for one-year leases and up to 4.5 percent on two-year leases, thanks to a 5-4 vote in July by the Rent Guidelines Board whose members were appointed by Mayor Eric Adams.

The increase is the fourth under Mayor Adams and could affect 2.4 million renters.

A protest goes to Gracie Mansion

Last night, NYC tenants organized by the New York State Tenant Bloc, Rent Justice Coalition, and Metropolitan Council on Housing marched to Gracie Mansion to protest the rent hike and demonstrate support for Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“A rent hike is the difference between putting food on the table and skipping meals—between keeping New York City the city we love and turning into a hollowed-out playground for the rich,” said Cea Weaver, director of the New York State Tenant Bloc, in a statement.

“Landlords and developers tried to buy the primary by pouring millions into Cuomo’s campaign. They failed then, and they’ll fail again in November. Tenants are the majority in New York, and we’re ready to elect a mayor who will put us first,” Weaver said.

Freeze the rent ‘for all four years’

Mamdani has pledged to freeze the rent for “all four years of his administration.” But as Brick previously reported—Mamdani is not in a position to unilaterally institute a rent freeze as soon as he takes office in January.

The mayor would appoint members of the board who would support a freeze and the first RGB vote on rent increase caps would take place over the summer, as it does each year. If approved, a freeze would go into effect in October 2026 for leases being renewed and vacancies occurring on or after Oct. 1st of 2026 through Sept. 30th of 2027. 

Landlords rally around Cuomo

NYS Tenant Bloc also put the blame on former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lags Mamdani in the polls.

During the mayoral debate in June, Cuomo would not commit to a rent freeze. Instead, he said he’d leave the decision up to the Rent Guidelines Board.

Landlords are reportedly rallying around Cuomo.

“Cuomo repeatedly blocked tenant protections and cut homelessness programs while rewarding his real estate donors with massive tax breaks,” according to a statement from NYS Tenant Bloc, which argued that landlords are coalescing around Cuomo “so they can raise rents.”