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NYC Rent Guidelines Board member abruptly resigns, alleging impropriety linked to Mamdani freeze
New York Daily News • • nation
Key Points:
- Christina Smyth, a landlord representative on the NYC Rent Guidelines Board, resigned hours before a vote on Mayor Mamdani's proposed rent freeze, claiming the board's process was corrupted and predetermined to enact the freeze.
- Smyth criticized the board for abandoning fact-finding, calling the hearings and data presentation "theater" designed to justify the freeze, which Mamdani campaigned on but has since downplayed publicly.
- The board, now with one fewer landlord representative, is expected to vote in favor of the rent freeze, though Smyth indicated she would assist potential legal challenges from landlords opposing the decision.
- Smyth urged Governor Hochul to reinstate the vacancy bonus, which allowed landlords to raise rents when units became vacant, arguing that rising operating costs justify rent increases.
- Tenant advocates support the freeze citing landlord income gains, while landlord groups express concern over the board's independence and the lack of meaningful landlord representation in the vote.
