Tag Archives: vacancy decontrol

State Senator Hiram Monserrate, whose felony battery trial is set for September, is broadly expected to take over the Senate’s Housing Committee this fall.  Our favorite Pedro Espada Jr. ran the committee until the June debacle which bestowed upon him the illustrious title of Majority Leader. Monserrate’s leadership means some strange new friendships for tenant and housing advocacy groups.  Advocates, who are pushing the repeal of vacancy decontrol, may need Monserrate’s help. So what is vacancy decontrol, and why does it matter for young Dems in NYC? Vacancy decontrol is the common name for legislation which allows landlords to begin charging market rate for rent controlled apartments that become vacant. This affects young Manhattanites, because they are effectively barred from … More >>