New York Rent-Control System Left Intact by US Supreme Court
February 20, 2024 by The US Supreme Court has decided not to challenge New York’s long-standing rent-control system, rejecting two appeals from apartment-building owners. Justice Clarence Thomas mentioned that the court should eventually consider the constitutionality of the city’s regulations but found the current lawsuits too vague. The New York Rent Stabilization Law, established in 1969, is one of the most tenant-friendly laws in the country, requiring landlords to renew leases under most circumstances. The law also allows family members to take over leases if they have lived in the unit for at least two years and gives the Rent Guidelines Board the authority to set maximum rent increases annually. City and state officials urged the Supreme Court to maintain the system, and the court’s decision leaves the law unchanged.