Michael Goodwin, The New York Times, Aug. 6, 1978
To a tenant, there’s nothing quite like opening the mail and learning that the rent is being reduced.
Not only is the thought of the extra money pure joy, but there is also the satisfaction of beating the landlord. It’s rather like the meek rising up, the underdog winning.
It’s also largely a thing of the past.
Rent reductions are becoming more unusual. For one thing, most public officials Aire now reluctant to order them, preferring other methods of moving landlords to comply with regulations.
For another thing, even some tenants have lost their taste for having the rent reduced. Although rents in many areas of the city are higher than ever, the recent experiences of some tenants have persuaded them that the battle to pay less is not only more trouble than it’s worth, but winning can also be as bad as or worse than losing.
“We don’t really want a rent reduction. It’s a very strange situation. We’re forced to fight for something we don’t really want.”
Thomas Vitullo-Martin, chairman, Belnord Tenants Association
