Housing & Real Estate Moved this morning
The rent freeze 24 updates since Jun 25, 2026
20 earlier updates
- Sep 25, 2026 The city told Judge Brendan Lantry that a search of Mayor Mamdani's emails turned up no messages with Rent Guidelines Board staff or members, as the judge ordered 26 officials to hand over screenshots of their texts and emails with the board by Tuesday, Sept. 29, Brownstoner and The Real Deal reported.
- Sep 30, 2026 Gothamist reported that former Rent Guidelines Board chair Doug Apple said Randy Mastro, the lawyer now suing to void the freeze, lobbied him for a low increase in 2025. Mastro confirmed the calls and said relaying a mayor's disagreement differs from orchestrating an outcome. The freeze on new one- and two-year stabilized leases was set to take effect Oct. 1, while Hell Gate reported landlords think a search of Mamdani's texts could overturn it.
- Oct 1, 2026 The Rent Guidelines Board's freeze on renewal leases for roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments took effect Oct. 1, with Manhattan Judge Brendan Lantry declining to halt it while the landlords' case proceeds. Landlord attorney Randy Mastro filed emails and texts the court ordered City Hall to hand over, and the Times reported they show mostly logistics and no instruction to freeze. The mayor's spokesperson said the board chair and mayor's liaison exchanged 101 emails this cycle versus 228 under Adams, and Mastro asked to depose top officials.
- Oct 13, 2026 Gothamist reported the court fight turned personal as Corporation Counsel Steven Banks threatened to put landlords' lawyer Randy Mastro on the stand. Judge Brendan Lantry said he has no plans to hear testimony.
What’s next Judge Brendan Lantry's ruling on Mastro's request to depose top officials; landlord attorney Sherwin Belkin says a city appeal would automatically stay any order against the freeze.
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