A guide for the experts: TENANTS!
The Rent Guidelines Board has the power to freeze the rent for 2.4 million rent stabilized tenants — or let landlords raise rents. Mayor Zohran Mamdani did his part by appointing the majority of the RGB, but now it’s in our hands to make sure the RGB delivers. On May 21st, the RGB made its preliminary vote: a rent freeze is on the table for 1 year leases and two year leases – for the first time in RGB history.
What’s next?
The RGB is hosting public hearings in each borough across the city. It’s up to us to turn out and make it crystal clear that tenants need and deserve a rent freeze on one and two year leases by testifying at each hearing and showing up in force at the final vote!
Key Dates
- Queens Hearing: June 4 • Jamaica Performing Arts Center • 5pm • RSVP HERE
- Bronx Hearing: June 8 • Hostos Community College/CUNY • 5pm • RSVP HERE
- Brooklyn Hearing: June 11 • The Theater at City Tech • 7pm • RSVP HERE
- Manhattan Hearing: June 16 • Symphony Space • 5pm • RSVP HERE
- FINAL VOTE: June 25 • El Museo del Barrio • 7pm • RSVP HERE
TESTIMONY GUIDE
You have two minutes to demand a rent freeze on one and two year leases and say what this rent freeze means to you!
Here’s an outline for your testimony, and you can download our toolkit here (in English and Spanish) to write your own.
Testimony Outline
Introduce Yourself
Good evening, members of the Board. My name is ______. I’m a rent-stabilized tenant. I live at _______ , and my landlord is _______ . I’ve lived in my home for _______ years.
Make the Ask
I’m here to urge the members of the Rent Guidelines Board to freeze the rents on both one and two year leases.
Tell Your Story
What would a rent freeze mean to you? Are you a parent? Are you on a fixed income? Are you an essential worker who makes the city run? Did you grow up in your neighborhood and want to stay put? Are you an immigrant facing ICE threats? What about your family or kids? How much of your income do you spend on rent? What kind of choices do you have to make to pay rent? What kinds of other expenses do you have? Are those prices going up? What would change about your life if you didn’t have to pay a rent increase?
Why doesn’t your landlord deserve a rent hike?
In the past, has your landlord improved your living conditions when they raised your rent? Landlord profits have gone up 30% over the last three years, and rents rose 12% under Eric Adams, did your living conditions improve during that time? Some landlords say they can’t pay their mortgages but they keep buying buildings, is it your responsibility to bail them out?
