When authorities set a ‘reasonable’ rent increase, they don’t only limit landlords’ decisions. They also establish a standard practice across the board.

On June 3, 2026, at 1:54 p.m. EDT, people were seen walking past an apartment building in New York City’s East Village, captured in a photograph by Spencer Platt from Getty Images.

The Manhattan Institute’s City Journal, known for its focus on urban policy, published a piece discussing this issue. As a small landlord in New York for over ten years, I understand the dynamics involved. I have always made it a point to know my tenants personally. Until recently, my approach, like that of many small landlords I know, was marked by flexibility and discretion. I often hesitated to raise rents for tenants who were good neighbors and paid on time.