A major political confrontation is unfolding in New York City as outgoing Mayor Eric Adams has moved to block incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s signature rent freeze proposal, a centerpiece of the mayor-elect’s campaign aimed at addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and newly elected mayor, ran on a platform that included a four-year freeze on rents for millions of tenants living in rent-stabilised apartments across the city. His pledge resonated with many struggling renters facing record-high housing costs, and was central to his election victory, according to YNet News.
Why is Adams opposing Mamdani’s proposal?
Adams, who remains in office until the end of December, has made clear he opposes such a policy, arguing that freezing rents would worsen housing conditions by depriving landlords of revenue needed for maintenance and repairs. In his view, policies must balance tenant relief with the financial reality faced by property owners, several reports claimed.
To counter Mamdani’s plan, Adams has used his remaining authority to appoint and reappoint members to the city’s ‘Rent Guidelines Board (RGB)’, the independent body that annually sets rent adjustments for stabilised units, according to Spectrum News NY1.
By placing two new appointees and reappointing others to the RGB, Adams has effectively given the board a majority inclined against a freeze, potentially blocking Mamdani’s rent freeze during the early years of his term.
Landlord groups and industry representatives have explicitly argued that capping rents on stabilized units could lead to buildings falling into disrepair because landlords wouldn’t be able to keep up with operating costs if rents are frozen. “If rents don’t keep up with operating costs, these buildings will soon be in physical decline as well,” chief executive officer of the New York Apartment Association, Kenny Burgos, warned, as per International Business Times UK.
What do Mamdani’s supporters have to say?
Supporters of Mamdani have countered that the freeze is a necessary short-term relief measure in a city where median rents exceed $4,000, and contend that the RGB appointments undermine the will of voters who overwhelmingly backed his platform, according to AOL.
While Mamdani retains the legal power to replace RGB members once in office, removing the newly appointed members before their terms expire could be legally challenging and lead to prolonged legal and political disputes, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Mamdani will assume office on January 1, 2026.