New York Supreme Court Rules on the Kingston Rent Debate

The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division has finally rendered their decision on whether the city of Kingston, NY can move forward with their plan of rent stabilization.

The housing markets in several Hudson Valley counties may no longer be seeing rising prices, but many renters are still experiencing hardships. While Kingston, NY isn't the only Hudson Valley city to attempt rent stabilization, their decision sparked an opposing lawsuit. Now, a ruling has been handed down from New York's highest court.

The decision by the City of Kingston Rent Guidelines Board to reduce rent costs and move towards rent stabilization has been approved by the New York Supreme Court (Google)

New York Supreme Court Rules on Kingston, NY Rent Stabilization

On March 21 2024, the court voted to uphold several decisions by Kingston, NY's Rent Guidelines Board surrounding rent stabilization. Not only were the city's vacancy studies and rent guidelines validated, but Kingston's decision to reduce rents that went into effect between August 2022 and September 2023 by 15% was upheld as well.

Historic Rent Stabilization in Kingston, NY

The decision of the City of Kingston Rent Guidelines Board to reduce rents was the first of its kind in the entire state. Combined with rent stabilization, Kingston, NY was heralded by Jenny Kutner of For the Many for another entry into New York's history books:

This ruling is a major victory for tenants in Kingston and the prospect of securing housing justice for all New Yorkers... With this ruling, the court has rejected a bad faith lawsuit launched by greedy landlords to protect their profits.

How Do Cities in New York Enact Rent Control?

In order for rent stabilization to take effect in New York, several steps need to be taken, including a rental vacancy study. If the study finds rental vacancies below 5%, cities would then be able to enact the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA), which includes actions like rent control.

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While many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, local Hudson Valley mansions are simultaneously setting local real estate records. Take a tour through the most expensive house for sale in Dutchess County, NY history below, and keep scrolling to see the home in Newburgh, NY that comes with a movie theater and batting cages.