Gothamist, David Brand, Jan 2, 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s has gotten closer to his goal of freezing the rent for tenants in about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments after several last-minute moves by now-former Mayor Eric Adams to thwart his plan fell through.

Adams had appointed two new members to the city’s Rent Guidelines Board and reappointed two others late last month before leaving office to ensure his bloc made up of the majority of the nine-person panel for at least the first year of Mamdani’s term.

But two of Adams’ picks for the same vacancy have dropped out in quick succession. One was Merrill Lynch financial advisor Lliam Finn. The other was Center for NYC Neighborhoods Executive Director Christie Peale.

Mamdani told Gothamist he plans to name a replacement in the near future.

“We’re going to make the appointment soon,” Mamdani said as he exited an apartment building on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn following an unrelated press conference Thursday, hours after he was inaugurated.

Finn declined to discuss his decision to quit the post. His departure was first reported by The Real Deal.

Adams offered the post to Peale after Finn left the board, a move that was first reported by the Daily News. Peale’s organization advocates for small homeowners and coordinates a network of legal service providers and other nonprofit groups.

But late Friday night she announced she would not accept the appointment.

“It was an honor to be selected to serve in a role of vital importance to so many New Yorkers, however, I decided it was not appropriate for my nomination to the Rent Guidelines Board to move forward at this time,” Peale said in a written statement to Gothamist.

Her exit will allow Mamdani to fill the vacancy.

Mamdani turned his pledge to “freeze the rent” for tenants in regulated apartments into a viral campaign slogan that resonated with many renters, but sparked outrage among landlords and provided ammunition for Mamdani’s electoral opponents.

Mayors do not have the power to unilaterally determine rent levels.

Read More: Gothamist