Council votes for stronger city rent laws

The New York City Council unanimously passed a package of legislation on Wednesday March 11, that would renew and strengthen citywide rent laws.

The package – sponsored by Councilmembers Jumaane Williams, Corey Johnson and Helen Rosenthal, among others – includes a resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in New York City continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1 of this year.

“New York City must remain a home for the middle class, and rent stabilization is a crucial part of keeping this city affordable for them,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “It is essential that we protect our stock of affordable and stabilized housing for those who currently live in stabilized housing, and the many others who are looking for relief from rising rents across the city.”

Under state law, the rent control system will expire in June 2015, unless the cty conducts a housing vacancy survey that would determine a definite housing shortage.