In late February, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the appointment of Jonathan Kimmel as Chairman of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) replacing former Chairman, Marvin Markus. As owners of stabilized property know, the RGB is mandated to establish rent adjustments for the nearly one million dwelling units subject to the Rent Stabilization Law in New York City. It holds a series of annual public meetings and hearings, which begin this month, to consider research regarding the various economic factors that impact the housing industry and vote on level that owners may increase the rent.
Owners should take note of the RGB schedule printed below and plan to attend at least one of the Public Hearing dates in June. At Public Hearings, owners have a chance to present testimony to the Board. As always, RSA staff is available to help you prepare testimony if you need assistance.
“I’m honored to be tapped by Mayor Bloomberg for this great responsibility,” said Board Chairman Kimmel in a press release issued by the Mayor’s office. “The Board takes the job of listening to all stakeholders and making sound independent decisions seriously, and I look forward to working with the members in my new capacity as chairman.”
The Rent Guidelines Board consists of nine members appointed by the Mayor. Two members are appointed to represent tenant interests, two members are appointed to represent owner interests, and five members – including the chairperson – are appointed to represent the general public. Mr. Kimmel has served as a member of the Board representing the general public interest since 2006. Previously, he served as a member of the New York City Residential Mortgage Insurance Corporation, and he has worked as legal director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York, executive assistant for Intergovernmental Relations in the Mayor’s Office from 1988 to 1990, assistant legislative representative to the City Council from 1984 to 1988, and a public school teacher in Brooklyn.
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