Judge backs rent freeze

THE RENT freeze is cool with a Manhattan judge.

State Supreme Court Justice Debra James ruled Tuesday that the Rent Guidelines Board could consider tenant affordability when determining rent hikes of rent stabilized apartments.

“The board should consider tenants’ economic situations,” she said. “It’s long been accepted without question.”

Last year, the Rent Stabilization Association sued the board, alleging it had used the improper criteria to block increases entirely in 2015 and freezing them on one-year renewals in 2016.

The association argued that the board’s members, who are appointed by Mayor de Blasio, had frozen the rent for political reasons — an argument the association maintained after the ruling.

“The (Rent Guidelines Board) process, which is supposed to be independent of City Hall influence, has been corrupted by a mayor that puts politics ahead of sound affordable housing policy, which is bad for tenants, affordable housing, and the owners of 1 million rent-stabilized apartments

The board should consider tenants’ economic situations. It’s long been accepted without question JUDGE DEBRA JAMES

— the largest providers of affordable housing,” said Joseph Strasburg, president of the landlords group.

His association, which represents 25,000 landlords of 1 million rent-stabilized apartments, said it plans to appeal.

Dozens of tenants attended the hearing and cheered as they left the courtroom. They feared their apartments would be put in jeopardy if the judge ruled against them, clearing the way for a sudden rent hike.

George Sotiroff, who has lived near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for 34 years, said it was critical the rates imposed by the board stay in place. He pays $800 for a two-bedroom apartment.

“I’ve received a little bit of breathing room,” said Sotiroff, 68. “I feel much relieved.”

Mayor de Blasio took a victory lap at City Hall.

“The people won and the landlords lost,” he said.

“The court looked at all of the facts and the court was clear that this rent freeze was fair, it was right, it was just.”