Judge Moves Zohran Mamdani Rent Freeze Lawsuit to Manhattan

A Staten Island judge ruled on Friday to transfer a lawsuit challenging Mayor Zohran Mamdani's rent freeze to Manhattan. Justice Ralph J. Porzio granted the city's request to move the case to New York County, citing that the Rent Guidelines Board, which issued the freeze decision, is located there.

The rent freeze was a primary campaign promise of the Mamdani administration intended to increase affordability for tenants in rent-stabilized housing. While the transfer is a legal victory for the mayor, the policy remains contested by landlords and housing experts who claim the freeze ignores the deteriorating economic conditions of stabilized buildings.

Plaintiffs' lawyer Randy Mastro opposed the transfer, arguing that Staten Island is as affected by the policy as any other borough. The case will now proceed in Manhattan, where the city's housing regulatory board is based.