Landlord lawsuit challenging rent freeze - We may be part

Landlords have challenged the rent freeze as political.  A group of tenant associations - including ours! - and some individual tenants are moving to intervene in the lawsuit (to play a full part in it).  

Here's a copy of the papers (which unfortunately misspell my name). 

There was a press conference in front of PA'LANTE Harlem on Friday, August 14, 2026 announcing the filing.  Thanks to Alex Yong for the photos. 

Left to right: Deborah Rand, Elsia Vasquez, Dylan Gribben, Sue Susman, James Fishman, Timothy Collins

We won't know until after August 21, 2026 whether the case will be staying in front of the judge on Staten Island, or will be moved to Manhattan - and it may take more time to find out whether we will be allowed to intervene in the case.   The Met Council on Housing and Tenants & Neighbors have also moved to intervene (represented by Legal Aid and Legal Services).  

Met Council Meeting/Picnic with us!

Met Council on Housing is joining our tenant association this evening at a shared meeting/picnic in the community room and backyard. 

Come to Met Council on Housing's Manhattan Chapter Meeting in our Community Room at 6 PM on Wednesday, July 29 (THIS EVENING!). Bring a dish to share and learn about the rent freeze.

Legionnaire's in the neighborhood

After the Legionnaire's disease (pneumonia) bacteria were found on the Upper East Side, a west side building tested its own system and found it.  That's good: It will be disinfected within 24 hours.  

Our building does not have central air conditioning and therefore we have NO COOLING TOWER and therefore should not worry about Legionnaire's immediately around our building. 

But click on "read more" for  general information from East Side state senator Liz Krueger about Legionnaire's: 

Tenants Win a Rent Freeze for 1- AND 2-year leases!!

Come to the RENT GUIDELINES BD Hearing this Tuesday at Symphony Space

RENT GUIDELINES BOARD HEARING

THIS TUESDAY, JUNE 16^th

SYMPHONY SPACE, 5-8 PM

(95^th St. and Broadway on the south west corner)

Tell the RGB: 

NO increases on ANY leases

Every voice matters in our fight to deliver on the mandate that a million people voted for last year. Landlords and the real estate industry are watching this campaign and are ready to use their vast resources to put roadblocks in our work. Their pockets are deep, but our numbers are strong. Tenants make up 70% of New York City. When we come together, we topple the millions that landlords and the Real Estate industry invest against us.

Be part of history. Let’s Freeze the Rent!

MEET SUE IN THE LOBBY AT 4:30 PM and WALK OVER TOGETHER

When and Where to Vote in the Primaries

JUNE PRIMARIES

EARLY VOTING at

West Side High School    

140 W. 102^nd St.

(enter through pathway on 101^st Street in back of the school)

SATURDAY, 6/13	9 AM – 5 PM
SUNDAY, 6/14	9 AM – 5 PM
MONDAY, 6/15	9 AM – 5 PM
TUESDAY, 6/16	10 AM – 8 PM
WEDNESDAY, 6/17	10 AM – 8 PM
THURSDAY, 6/18	8 AM – 4 PM
FRIDAY, 6/19	9 AM – 5 PM
SATURDAY, 6/20	9 AM – 5 PM
SUNDAY, 6/21	9 AM – 5 PM

REGULAR VOTING

June 23, 2026

6 AM – 9 PM

at PS 163 on 97^th Street

between Columbus & Amsterdam

The congressional candidates panel was packed!

Click here for a video link to the event (after the first couple of minutes).  Thanks to tenant Wilfredo Chau!  Read a transcript of most of the event here. 

About 80 tenants sat and another 20 people stood as the candidates answered questions.  

Photo thanks to Lenora Wade

We started off with five, and then got to six candidates. 

Alex Bores was delayed by a 5 pm NYS Assembly vote on immigration issues in the budget, and so didn't get to the meeting till about 8:15.  

Laura Dunn, an attorney helping women against domestic violence

Micah Lasher, our current NYS Assembly representative (not clear how he made a 3-hour drive in under 2 hours!)

Jack Schlossberg, a blogger who is late Pres. John Kennedy's grandson

Nina Schwalbe, a global health expert, and 

Patrick Timmins, a lawyer and adjunct law professo at John Jay College.

The place was packed!  Photo by Jodi Brockington shows Laura Dunn speaking, standing next to (seated), Micah Lasher, Jack Schlossberg, and Nina Schwalbe. 

 

Pat Loftman (former president of the Park West Village Tenant Association) and Sue Susman (president of the Central Park Gardens Tenants' Association) were the questioners. 

With each candidate answering each question, we didn't get through as much as we'd hoped - but ended up with a lot of information. The sponsoring organizations (the five tenant associations) hope that all the candidates will accept the best ideas. 

The candidates talked about their experience (good,    bad, other), and what they would do to enforce fair  elections without corruption - including defensive redistricting.   Photo by Jodi Brockington                                                                                                                                      The candidates offered some terrific ideas!

You can hear a recording (all but the first five minutes) of the May 21st NY-12 forum of congressional candidates.  You can read a (Google-transcribed) transcription of it here.