ALBANY – Tenants who claim they have been overcharged for rent may use class action suits to seek compensation as long as they waive through counsel the treble damages they could seek through Rent Stabilization Law, the state Court of Appeals determined Monday.

The court reached its 4-2 decision in three cases in which New York City tenants were granted or sought class action status against landlords for rent overcharges for units allegedly decontrolled illegally.