Ahead of Mamdani’s Rent Freeze Vote, Board Member Resigns in Protest

A pro-landlord board member on the independent board governing rent-stabilized housing in New York City resigned in protest June 25, hours before the board was expected to vote in a rent freeze securing a major victory for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Christina Smyth, who was appointed to the board by former Mayor Eric Adams, posted her resignation letter on LinkedIn. She said the result of Thursday’s vote was already decided on the mayoral campaign trail. “Everything since has been theater,” Smyth wrote.

Chair of the board Chantella Mitchell responded to Smyth’s resignation, indicating the vote would proceed and thanking Smyth for her service.

“I want to take this opportunity to affirm the independence with which this year’s board members have served, along with the rigor and integrity demonstrated by the [Rent Guidelines Board] staff in preparing and presenting data,” Mitchell said in a statement.

On the campaign trail in 2025, Mamdani promised to enact a rent freeze. Technically, the Rent Guidelines Board, which would have to make that determination, is independent of the mayor.

The board determines by what percent private landlords who own rent-stabilized apartment units can raise the rent on tenants each year. The board is required to consider landlord costs and revenues as well as tenant hardship when making its decision. New York City has nearly 1 million rent-stabilized units, housing approximately two-and-a-half million residents. The vast majority of units were built prior to 1974.

The board met earlier this year from March to June hearing testimony from tenants, landlords, activists, and elected officials hoping to sway its vote. The board also reviewed reports prepared by its professional staff, including those on landlords’ operating costs and revenue. Last year, the board allowed rents to rise 3 percent on one-year leases and 4.5 percent on two-year leases.

In May, Mamdani and the Office of Mass Engagement launched Organize NYC and directed the office to canvas residents to attend Rent Guidelines Board hearings to share their experience.

Responding to Smyth’s resignation, Mamdani reiterated that the board is independent. 

“This Rent Guidelines Board is an independent board that has been conducting a process over the last many months,” Mamdani told News 12. “That includes fact-finding as well as testimonies, and I look forward to the outcome and decision that they will make.”

The board is composed of nine members with two representing interests of landlords, two representing tenants, and five designated to represent the public. In February, Mamdani appointed six new members to the board.

Smyth said the board started with an answer and worked backward to justify it.

“I know this because I watched it happen from the inside,” she wrote. “I asked why data showing rising costs and falling net income was not reflected in the board’s direction to its members. Those questions went unanswered.”

She wrote that the board’s own research found that operating costs rose faster than inflation.

Smyth added that a rent freeze will hurt tenants if buildings cannot make upgrades and do needed repairs.

“I will not put my name on a conclusion the facts do not support,” Smyth said.