Westchester Rent Guidelines Board Approves Increases for Rent Stabilized Apartments

The Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board has approved rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments covered under New York's Emergency Tenant Protection Act, setting the rates that will apply to lease renewals beginning October 1, 2026.

The annual vote by the Rent Guidelines Board seeks to balance the financial challenges facing property owners with affordability concerns for tenants. The board considers a variety of economic factors, including operating costs, maintenance expenses, inflation, property taxes, insurance costs, and housing affordability data before establishing renewal guidelines.

The decision affects thousands of rent-stabilized apartments throughout Westchester County and will govern lease renewals through September 30, 2027. The vote follows a series of public hearings and presentations that included testimony from tenants, property owners, housing advocates, and industry stakeholders.

Housing affordability remains one of the most significant challenges facing communities throughout the Hudson Valley and New York City. At the same time, property owners continue to face rising costs associated with building operations, insurance, taxes, utilities, and maintenance. The annual rent guidelines process often highlights the difficult balance policymakers face in addressing both concerns.

For REALTORS®, the discussion underscores broader issues affecting the region's housing market. Limited housing inventory, affordability pressures, aging housing stock, and increasing operating costs all contribute to the challenges facing renters, homeowners, and housing providers alike.

While the Rent Guidelines Board's decision applies specifically to rent-stabilized apartments, it reflects larger conversations taking place across New York regarding housing supply, affordability, investment in existing housing stock, and policies designed to support sustainable communities.

As housing continues to be a top priority for residents and policymakers, HGAR will continue advocating for balanced solutions that expand housing opportunities, support property rights, encourage investment in housing, and create pathways to homeownership throughout the region.