Last year, we had a rent control referendum: which would have been a disaster for Hoboken. I was against the referendum because it would have effectively eliminated rent control and fortunately it was soundly defeated.
I believe that good laws are simple, and that’s my main ‘beef’ with rent control in this town. A law that requires a special calculation done by a rent control office seems too complex. That said: this could be a situation where the ordinance can’t be simplified WITHOUT changing it’s function. I’m sure Cheryl Fallick can make suggestions.
Even with it’s ugly complexity: I support rent control because it is essential to making sure that many of our residents including seniors, families and young people, can afford to remain in Hoboken.
One change I would support is that a landlord who decides NOT to raise a ‘good tenant’s’ rental rate should be able to apply the entitled increase to future tenants (bank the increase). This may actually save long time tenants money without hurting landlords and as large landlords tend to ALWAYS apply the maximum increase each year, this helps the small landlords: many of whom are not terribly wealthy neighbors (and good landlords).