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The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) is mandated by law to establish yearly rent adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. The board holds an annual series of public meetings and hearings to consider research from staff and testimony from owners, tenants, advocacy groups, and industry experts.
On Jan. 4, the DHCR issued its second update to Operational Bulletin 2021-1. When the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) was enacted, it directed the DHCR to create a schedule of reasonable costs associated with major capital improvements (MCIs). The document is updated annually to respond to market changes of various capital improvement costs.
The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) is mandated by law to establish yearly rent adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. The board holds an annual series of public meetings and hearings to consider research from staff and testimony from owners, tenants, advocacy groups, and industry experts.
NYC Local Law 30 of 1970 stipulates that Maximum Base Rents be established for rent-controlled apartments according to a formula calculated to reflect real estate taxes, water and sewer charges, operating and maintenance expenses, return on capital value, and vacancy and collection loss allowance. The Maximum Base Rent (MBR) is updated every two years by a factor that incorporates changes in these operating costs.
On Jan. 4, the DHCR issued update number 1 to Operational Bulletin 2021-1. When the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) was enacted, it directed the DHCR to create a schedule of reasonable costs associated with major capital improvements (MCIs). This is the first uppdate to the operational bulletin--it's designed to be updated annually to respond to market changes of various capital improvement costs.
On May 5, in a preliminary vote, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) voted 5 to 4 to consider freezing rents on one-year leases or letting owners raise them up to 2 percent. If the RGB votes to keep rents as is for another year, it would effectively extend the rent freeze RGB approved last summer. For two-year leases, the RGB is considering rent increases of 1 to 3 percent.
On Jan. 12, the DHCR issued Operational Bulletin 2021-1, which replaces Operation Bulletin 2020-01. According to the DHCR, this bulletin is designed to be updated annually to reflect reasonable costs associated with major capital improvements (MCIs). The annual bulletin allows the DHCR to respond to market changes.
When owners make improvements or installations to a building subject to the rent stabilization or rent control laws, they can apply to the DHCR for approval to raise the rents of the tenants. When the improvement or installation meets certain requirements it will be considered a major capital improvement (MCI). Some examples of MCI items include boilers, windows, electrical rewiring, plumbing, and roofs. To qualify as an MCI, the improvement or installation must:
In a preliminary vote held on May 7, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) proposed guidelines for rent-stabilized apartments effective Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021. The board voted 5-4 to endorse freezing rents on one-year leases and the first year of two-year leases signed on or after Oct. 1, 2020. During the second year of two-year agreements, rents would rise 1 percent under the proposal.
Despite Mayor de Blasio’s announcement in April that the city was working with the state to suspend the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) meetings, the meetings will be held remotely this year. The mayor said that there were some legal concerns with suspending the board. The RGB is mandated by law to establish yearly rent adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments in New York City.
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