De Blasio Announces Two Appointments to Rent Guidelines Board

Mayor de Blasio recently announced two new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). The two appointments – former United States Magistrate Judge Kathleen Roberts and Mary Serafy – have years of experience in both the public and private sectors and will be responsible for establishing rent adjustments for approximately one million dwelling units subject to the Rent Stabilization Law in the city. Judge Kathleen Roberts and Mary Serafy will serve as Chair and Owner Representative of the Board, respectively.

Former U.S. Magistrate Judge Roberts is currently a mediator and arbitrator with JAMS. She specializes in complex commercial cases, including commercial real estate disputes. Meanwhile, Mary Serafy, the director of design for affordable housing developer BRP Development, will be one of two members who represent owners’ interests on the board.

Serafy is responsible for leading BRP’s development activities including planning, zoning analysis, design, coordination, construction administration, and LEED Certification, according to the press release. One of BRP’s largest undertaking is a 737,000-square-foot project called the Crossing at Jamaica Station in Queens.

“I’m confident that their addition to the Rent Guidelines Board will serve New Yorkers well – tenants and landlords alike – in establishing rent adjustments that are fair and grounded in real-life conditions in our neighborhoods,” de Blasio said in a statement.