Disagrees with rent recommendation

I was appointed by Mayor Barbara Cannon to the Fair Rent Committee to be a tenant representative. As a tenant advocate, I could not vote for the committee’s recommendation to raise rent control to 4 percent, with a 2 percent moratorium for seniors. I feel the recommendation is wrong for a number of reasons.

The data collected by the Rent Stabilization Board is essentially a tax return. However, tax returns are created by those who seek to show as little income as possible so as to minimize the amount of taxation for the year. Therefore, the data used by the committee does not adequately show the necessity of raising rent control.

One of the factors that they used in the process was that the average rent was approximately $644. I felt that number to be dubious. Any of the complexes could have played with the numbers (all of which are held internally), and we must use our discretion and determine what the average monthly payment is.

I have lived in my apartment at Parkview at Madison for three years. When I moved into Parkview, it was because it was one of the most affordable apartment complexes in the township. Many of the complexes were charging more than $800 per month for a small one-bedroom apartment, but mine was only charging $750 per month. My most recent payment was $796. Many are paying a substantially higher rent than I am. New residents are paying $895. While some are paying less than I am, most are above $700; those few who may be below that threshold have lived in the same apartment for decades.

I also do not think now is the proper time for such an increase. In October, I lost my job and did not find employment for six full months. A neighbor of mine, a union plumber, was unable to find work and also was unemployed for a few months. While he has found employment, his paycheck isn’t what it used to be, and he has been having trouble making ends meet. We all have. This measure to raise rent control would only make it harder for those hit worst by the economic recession.

Also, if seniors are given a discounted rent control percent, how can we be assured that it would not be difficult for seniors to find housing in Old Bridge, since those who are not seniors would have to pay more for the same apartment and services?

Finally, to the best of my knowledge, the Fair Rent Committee has never recommended a rent control reduction. I can guarantee that this is the case for the past decade. I think the Township Council should also be aware of the fact that two years ago, when the municipal tax rate decreased, tenants still paid 2 percent more.

Ultimately, I feel that the recommendation by the committee was ill-advised. It is up to the council to decide what the rent should be controlled at. I hope its members spend the time looking at the situation. They have heard testimony from numerous tenants about the situation. I am sure they will use their judgement to do what is best for all the parties involved.

Steven Brunell

Tenant Representative

Old Bridge Fair Rent Committee

Vice president

Old Bridge Tenants Association