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1. How do you calculate allowable increase for units under rent control?

First, calculate the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Look up the CPI index 4 months and 16 months prior to the end date of the lease.

CPI tables can be found at http://www.bls.gov/cpi/ on the right hand side, under Regional Resources. Select NYC as the MSA.

The percent increase is calculated as follows:
- CPI of 4 months ago - CPI of 16 months ago
- CPI of 16 months ago

If this is negative, there is no increase.

Second, calculate allowable increase
- Multiply current rent by the percent increase calculated above, then add to current rent. Round to nearest dollar.

Example: Lease ends December 31st, so CPI table is used to look up the CPI for August (4 months prior) and August of the previous year (16 months prior). Let's say the CPI 4 months prior was 250.058 and 16 months prior was 241.569. The calculation for allowable increase would be:
- (250.058 - 241.569) / 241.569 equals 0.035.

If the current rent was $1,000, the allowable increase would be $35, so the new rent would be $1,035.

Note: This example uses actual data taken from August 2011 and August 2010.