A Manhattan judge ordered Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration to turn over communications with the Rent Guidelines Board, dealing a setback in a lawsuit by landlords seeking to invalidate the city's rent freeze on rent-stabilized homes. The order, issued by Justice Brendan T. Lantry of New York State Supreme Court, requires City Hall to produce written communications between the mayor's office and the board from Jan. 1 to June 26, when the freeze vote occurred. The lawsuit claims the panel disregarded landlords' financial challenges under pressure from Mamdani to fulfill a campaign promise.

Justice Lantry acknowledged the step was "rare" but said he needed the information to decide whether the panel's decision was "arbitrary and capricious" or an abuse of discretion. The Rent Guidelines Board is appointed by the mayor, and its decisions typically reflect mayoral priorities. If the judge invalidates the freeze, it could undo a key achievement of Mamdani's tenure.

Randy Mastro, a lawyer for the landlords, said the order "goes to the heart of our position that this was a sham process with a predetermined outcome." The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. City lawyers had argued the disclosure was unnecessary, while landlords sought broader data including internal texts and emails.