The Rent Guidelines Board voted for proposed rent hikes for rent-stabilized apartments shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday at Cooper Union in the East Village.

Tenants will pay an increase of 4.5 percent for one-year leases and 8.5 percent for two-year leases on rent-stabilized apartments.

The minimum increase for one-year rent-stabilized leases is $45, and $85 for two-year rent-stabilized leases.

Many protesters were loudly blowing on whistles that they snuck into the meeting, practically drowning out the proceedings.

"We did strike a balance and the vote was 5-4," said Rent Guidelines Board President Marvin Marcus. "And I think it was the right decision, given this year's economics and the need for a rent increase and balance against tenants' affordablity."

"Everybody recognizes that oil is so out of control. Whether it's at gas pumps or heating during winter time, we needed to do something different," said Joseph Strasburg of the Rent Stabilization Association. "And I do hope that oil prices somehow stabilize so that we don't find ourselves in the same situation next year."

Tenants say they cannot afford to pay any more, and that building owners are still making a healthy profit.

"We got robbed. Today is a sad day, we got robbed," said a tenant.

"These eggs was cooked a long time ago, today was just a formality," said another.

Landlords say they need to raise rents to keep up with escalating fuel and water costs.

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