The OP was unclear, controlled units are certainly not "locked into" any price. To your point:
> rent control operates under the Maximum Base Rent (MBR) system. A maximum
base rent is established for each apartment and adjusted every two years to reflect changes in operating costs. Owners [...] are entitled to raise rents the [..] the average of the five most recent Rent Guidelines Board annual rent increases for one year renewal leases [...] until they reach the MBR
It's at the very least remotely true, if exaggerated
> [The median monthly rent for unregulated units is] $1,845
> The median monthly rent is about $1,400 for rent-stabilized units
> [The median monthly rent for rent-controlled units is] around $858
https://archive.is/wB1yN
The OP was unclear, controlled units are certainly not "locked into" any price. To your point:
> rent control operates under the Maximum Base Rent (MBR) system. A maximum base rent is established for each apartment and adjusted every two years to reflect changes in operating costs. Owners [...] are entitled to raise rents the [..] the average of the five most recent Rent Guidelines Board annual rent increases for one year renewal leases [...] until they reach the MBR
https://hcr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/fact-sheet...
Owners are so anxious to get tenants out (so they can start the gouging) that they offer tenants in controlled units buyouts to leave.
> In general, a buyout could range from $20,000 to $60,000
https://www.singhranilaw.com/post/understanding-and-negotiat...