Court of Appeals Update - June 2025: Kingston’s Rent-Stabilization Plan Survives Landlord Challenge

FAQs

Is a vacancy survey valid if some owners don’t respond?

Yes, provided the municipality uses reasonable follow-up and presumes no vacancies without response.

Can landlords recover lost rent later?

Only if the guidelines are annulled or DHCR grants individual hardship applications.

Does the decision bind other cities?

It’s persuasive precedent statewide, but each city must still satisfy the five-percent vacancy threshold.