The Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board approved another rent hike Thursday, which will impact tenants living in approximately 35,000 rent-controlled apartments across Westchester.

After listening to landlords and tenants, the board set a maximum of a 4.5 percent increase for one-year leases and a 6.5 percent increase for two. In addition, a $45 minimum would be applied if the hikes do not reach that amount.

Landlords were hoping for higher numbers because they claim that increased fuel costs are making it hard to maintain buildings.

?The cost of fuel from last year to this year increased by $85 per apartment per month,? says Ken Nilsen, of the Building and Realty Institute.

But tenants say they also feel the squeeze.

Last year?s guidelines were 2.5 percent for one-year leases and 3.5 percent for two-year leases. This year, tenants were hoping for a smaller increase, closer to the old standards.

The new rent guidelines will go into effect October 1.