Every spring, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board kicks off its process to set rent increase limits for the city's roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments. This year's hearings are expected to begin in late March and run through June — and the outcome will affect leases renewing after October 1, 2026.

How it works: The RGB holds public hearings across the five boroughs, takes input from landlords, tenants, and housing advocates, and then votes on allowable increases for one-year and two-year lease renewals. Last year's increases were among the highest in recent memory. Whether 2026 follows the same trend depends largely on inflation data, fuel costs, and the political composition of the board.

What you can do right now:

First, know whether your apartment is actually stabilized. If your building has six or more units and was built before 1974, there's a good chance it is — but not guaranteed. DHCR has a free online lookup tool where you can check your unit's registration history.

Second, if your rent has ever seemed unusually high relative to your neighbors, you may have grounds to file an overcharge complaint. There are deadlines and lookback periods that vary by situation — a free consultation with a tenant legal services org can tell you quickly whether you have a case.

Third: show up to a hearing. Public comment matters more than most tenants realize. The RGB is appointed, not elected, but public pressure has historically influenced outcomes. Dates and locations will be posted at hcr.ny.gov.

Knowing the process is half the battle. Mark your calendar.