One Rental At A Time NYC's FREE BUS and Rent Freeze Will CHANGE Everything!
Nov 9, 2025
Jonathan Twanley, a New York City real estate commentator, dives into pressing local issues affecting housing and transportation. He discusses the implications of a rent freeze limited to stabilized apartments and potential trade-offs that could accompany it, like tax abatements for property owners. The practicality of free buses is debated, examining fiscal sustainability and funding sources. Twanley also evaluates a proposal for city-run grocery stores and reflects on election outcomes that could reshape political strategies in NYC.
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Rent Freeze Scope Is Very Limited
- Rent freezes only affect rent-stabilized units, not market-rate apartments in NYC.
- State law and the Rent Guidelines Board limit how far a mayor can unilaterally freeze rents.
Stabilized Rents Face Cost Pressures
- The Rent Guidelines Board annually sets allowable increases for stabilized units after landlord and tenant hearings.
- Rising operating costs have made many stabilized buildings unprofitable without corresponding rent increases.
Use Owner Incentives To Make Freezes Work
- Consider trade-offs like property tax abatements or insurance relief to make rent freezes politically viable.
- Pairing owner concessions with tenant protections can reduce opposition and preserve building viability.