The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to consider a challenge to New York’s rent stabilization laws that could have ended a cap on rent increases for a million apartments citywide. But two similar cases are still awaiting a decision by the justices.
The court declined to consider the case, which was filed by a pair of influential landlord groups, after a series of appellate judges dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Community Housing Improvement Program and Rent Stabilization Association — groups that represent owners of rent-regulated apartments. The two groups say the current rent regulations unconstitutionally limit their ability to earn profits and invest in their buildings.
Two other sets of landlords are also trying to appeal similar cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has not yet weighed in on their applications.
In a statement Monday, CHIP Executive Director Jay Martin said the stronger rent regulations are stripping landlords of the income they need to maintain their buildings and fueling foreclosures.
“While we were hopeful a broad facial challenge would have delivered the most relief to the most owners as quickly as possible, we remain convinced that the law is irrational and vulnerable to more specific challenges,” Martin said. “One way or another this law must go down, its current form is destroying New York’s housing.”
But tenants, their advocates and local lawmakers say eliminating the laws that prevent exorbitant rent increases and establish a right to a lease renewal could expose hundreds of thousands of families to rent hikes and worsen the city’s already record-high homelessness crisis.
Legal Aid Housing Attorney Ellen Davidson said she was relieved by the court’s decision to reject the case from CHIP and RSA, but is keeping her eye on the other two pending challenges.
“We’re pleased with the denial of the case and we’re watching to see what could happen with the others,” Davidson said. “It would be devastating for more than a…
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