NEW YORK (Diya TV) — A Manhattan judge ordered New York City officials Wednesday to turn over communications with the Rent Guidelines Board as landlords challenge the board’s decision to freeze rents on roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.
New York Supreme Court Justice Brendan Lantry authorized limited discovery of written communications between City Hall personnel and Rent Guidelines Board members from Jan. 1 through June 25, the day the board approved the freeze. The order excludes internal communications within City Hall and within the board itself.
Seven landlords filed the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the board’s decision. They argue that Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration improperly influenced the independent panel and that the board failed to adequately consider landlords’ financial costs. The city and the Rent Guidelines Board deny those allegations and say the board followed the required process.
Lantry said the communications could help him determine whether the board acted arbitrarily, abused its discretion or violated required procedures. He has not ruled on the landlords’ underlying claims.
The Rent Guidelines Board voted 7-1 on June 25 to set rent increases at 0% for both one-year and two-year leases beginning Oct. 1. The decision marked the first time the board froze rents for both lease terms.
Mamdani campaigned on a rent freeze and appointed six members to the nine-member board in February. His administration has repeatedly described the Rent Guidelines Board as an independent body.
Landlord representative Christina Smyth resigned hours before the June vote and accused the board of reaching a predetermined result. The city has disputed claims that the process lacked independence.
The rent freeze remains scheduled to take effect Oct. 1. Lantry has not blocked the new rates. The parties are due back in court Sept. 21 to address the newly authorized discovery.
