Democracy Dies in Darkness
When policymakers set boundaries for what is considered a “reasonable” rent increase, they inadvertently create a standard for landlords to follow. This approach does not merely place a ceiling on landlords’ actions, but also enforces uniform behavior across the board.
On June 3, 2026, an image was captured showing people passing an apartment building located in New York City’s East Village, as part of a feature by Spencer Platt/Getty Images. This discussion about rent broadly relates to urban policy, as covered by the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.
Over the past decade, I have been a small landlord in New York. I make it a point to know each of my tenants personally. Like many small landlords, I have traditionally managed my properties with a sense of flexibility and discretion. This includes an informal understanding that rent hikes are avoided for tenants who consistently exhibit reliability and are considerate neighbors.
However, the practice of defining what constitutes a reasonable rent increase introduces a new complication. By creating a standard, small landlords like myself may feel pressured to conform to these newly established norms, even if they conflict with our personal management philosophies.