**Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to New York’s Rent Control Law**

In a notable decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court opted not to take up a case questioning the legality of New York's rental control legislation. Initially enacted during World War II and revised in 2019, the law aims to enhance tenants' rights across the state, particularly in densely populated urban centers such as New York City and Buffalo. The 2019 amendments introduced measures like capping rent hikes and lease renewals, tightening eviction rules for landlords wanting personal use of a unit, and imposing restrictions on converting rental units into condominiums.

New York landlords subject to the rent stabilization laws brought the challenge, arguing that the legislation infringed upon their property rights and caused financial damage. They claimed that these regulations amounted to an unconstitutional seizure of their property without appropriate compensation. However, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed this claim, stating that property owners entered the rental market of their own accord and still retain the ability to evict tenants.

Despite their efforts, the landlords' appeal to the Supreme Court did not proceed. This outcome aligns with previous decisions where the Court has abstained from intervening in rent control issues, despite a conservative supermajority often seen as sympathetic to claims of governmental overreach in property matters.

New York City, one of the world's most expensive cities, faces a significant housing affordability crisis. The Office of the New York State Comptroller reports that over the last decade, rent prices have surged more rapidly than median incomes, a trend also observed in other parts of the United States.

The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case leaves the strengthened tenant protections intact, continuing a trend of judicial reluctance to engage in disputes over rent control laws.