Where Democratic Mayoral Candidates Stand on Tenant Issues

Met Council on Housing's Tenant/Inquilino

Much at Stake for Tenants in Mayoral Election, With Runoff Likely

By: Kenny Schaeffer

Published:  July 2013

Not since 1977 has the outcome of an election for mayor of New York City been so hard to predict.

There are now eight Democratic candidates and three Republican ones competing in the Sept. 10 primaries, and a sizeable number of voters in both parties are still undecided. It seems likely that no Democrat will win 40 percent of the primary vote. In that case, the top two will face each other in a runoff three weeks later, on Oct. 1—and the same thing could happen in the Republican primary. 

The Democratic and Republican winners will face a third candidate in the general election on Nov. 5: former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, who has secured the endorsement of the corrupt Independence Party.

Click here or below for a brief roundup of the main Democratic mayoral candidates in alphabetic order, especially their positions on housing and tenants’ rights.

Responses to the NY Post Editorial

The NY Post again wrote that rent regulation is responsible for the lack of affordable

apartments.  Several tenants set the record straight:

The Issue: Whether rent regulations truly help the middle class and poor find affordable places to live.

***

Letter from Michael McKee:

“The Apartment Complex” got it exactly wrong (Editorial, July 10).

Rent regulation is the result of a housing shortage, not the cause.

RGB votes highest increase since 2008 for rent stabilized lease renewals

The Rent Guidelines Board voted that rent stabilized tenants who renew their leases effective any time from Oct. 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013 must pay these increases:

For a 1-year lease renewal:  4% increase  

For a 2-year lease renewal:  7.75% increase.

Since it appears the RGB's calculations are based on poor math, this is quite a hit.  But it's a boon for the landlords. 

Be at the Rent Guidelines Bd. FINAL VOTE - Thurs., 6/20/2013

Come to the final vote of the Rent Guidelines Board TONIGHT at 5:30 PM.    

Let's be there and build  toward a bigger presence when the rent laws expire in 2015. 

The hearing is at the Great Hall at Cooper Union, 7 E. 7th St. (corner 3rd Ave.) (Click on "read more" below for how to get there.)

Appointed by the Mayor, the Board members will pick percentage increases  - and a flat dollar amount increase for those whose rents are below $1000.  *

PROPOSED RENEWAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR APARTMENTS

Here's the range so far: 

• For a one-year renewal lease commencing on or after October 1, 2013 and on or before September 30, 2014:                  3.25% - 6.25%
• For a two-year renewal lease commencing on or after October 1, 2013 and on or before September 30, 2014:                 5.0% - 9.5%

Join Tenants and  Neighbors and other groups there this evening.

In the Neighborhood . . .

Given questions about lead in the ground of the parking lot on 97th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue . . . 

RGB - June 13, and "People's RGB" on June 5

Speak out at the Rent Guidelines Board hearing on June 13th starting at 10 AM in lower Manhattan.  If you can't do it then (and even if you can), come to the "People's RGB" in the Bronx on June 5th starting at 5:30 PM.  

Each June, the Rent Guidelines Board sets the percentage increase for rent stabilized apartments whose leases are renewed any time during the year period beginning the next

October 1st.  This year, they're proposing the highest increases in a long time:

PROPOSED INCREASE RANGE: 

• For one-year increase periods commencing on or after October 1, 2013 and on or before September 30, 2014:                3.25% - 6.25%
• For two-year increase periods commencing on or after October 1, 2013 and on or before September 30, 2014:                5.0% - 9.5%

(The RGB will vote to pick some number in those ranges.)