Effectiveness of rent-controlled housing

Our Argument

Rent control laws in SF and NYC provide more affordable rental housing (apartments, townhomes, separate dwellings).

Instructions

• Prepare an oral report that provides:
  • background
  • date to support the arguments in favor
• Create an opening statement before 1/19 midnight.
  • Include supporting data and cited sources
• Make a presentation
• Decide who will present

Research

https://hcr.ny.gov/rent-control

• Rent Control is a rent regulation program meant to:
  • protect tenants in privately owned buildings from illegal rent increases
  • allow owners to maintain their buildings while realizing a reasonable profit
• Under rent control law, tenants are not obligated to sign renewal leases (since tenants are considered "statutory" tenants). Rent increases are limited, and evictions are regulated.
• The Maximum Base Rent (MBR) system (controled by DHCR) determines a maximum base rent and a maximum collectible rent for each individual apartment.
  • Adjustments are made every two years and can be challenged by tenants.
  • If a tenant's rights are violated, DHCR can reduce rents and levy civil penalties against th owner.
  • If owners certify that they are providing essential services and have removed violations, they are entitled to raise rent by the average of 7.5% each year until they reach MBR.
  • Rent can also be increased in these ways: 1) with consent of the tenant in occupancy, if the owner increases services or equipment, or makes improvements to the apartment, 2) with DHCR approval, if the owner installs a building-wide major capital improvement, or 3) in case of hardship with DHCR approval
• In New York City, rent control tenants are in buildings built before 2/1/1947, where the tenant is in continuous occupancy prior to 7/1/1971.