New York Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners
Manage overview of New York rental property laws including security deposits, eviction procedures, rent stabilization, and the 2024 Good Cause law.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
New York State is widely considered the most tenant-protective jurisdiction in the United States. Originating with the Real Property Law in 1896 and the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL) in 1921, its rental property laws are a layered system of state statutes, city-level regulations, and recent landmark reforms-including the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 and the Good Cause Eviction Law of 2024-that create a strict and complex compliance framework for landlords.
Key New York Rental Laws at a Glance
Security Deposits
Under the HSTPA, New York landlords can collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent. This applies statewide to all residential tenancies regardless of whether the unit is rent-stabilized or market-rate.
Landlords must return the deposit (or provide an itemized statement of deductions) within 14 days of the tenant vacating. Failure to comply forfeits the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.
The Good Cause Eviction Law (2024)
Effective April 20, 2024, the Good Cause Eviction Law (GCEL) transformed the landscape for market-rate apartments. Under this statewide law (which requires local opt-in outside New York City), landlords must now demonstrate "good cause" to evict a tenant or refuse to renew a lease.
Key provisions:
- "Good Cause" Required: Landlords can only evict for enumerated reasons (non-payment, nuisance, illegal use, refusal of access, etc.).
- Rent Increase Cap: Increases above 10% per year or 5% + CPI (whichever is lower) are presumed unreasonable, and a tenant can challenge them in court.
- Lease Disclosure: Landlords must disclose in the lease whether the unit is covered by the GCEL.
For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.
Rent Stabilization and Rent Control (NYC)
New York City has one of the most extensive rent regulation systems in the country:
- Rent-Stabilized Units: The NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets maximum annual increases. Specific annual percentages are determined by the RGB and are not codified in the provided state statutes.
- Rent-Controlled Units: Apply to pre-1947 buildings in certain areas; increases are capped at the lesser of the average of the last five RGB one-year increases or 7.5%.
Eviction Procedures
New York's eviction process is lengthy, formal, and highly procedural:
- Non-Payment: Landlord must serve a 14-day written demand for rent before filing in Housing Court.
- Holdover (End of Lease / Violations): Notice depends on tenancy length: 30 days (under 1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), 90 days (>2 years).
- Self-help evictions are strictly illegal-no lock changes, utility shutoffs, or property removal.
For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.
Required Disclosures
New York has an extensive disclosure regime. Landlords must proactively disclose information regarding:
- Good Cause Eviction coverage status.
(Note: Specific disclosure requirements for Lead-based paint, Bed bug infestation history, Flood risk and prior flood damage, Mold history and remediation, Window guard requirements, and Smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance are not detailed in the provided state legislation URLs.)
For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.
Late Fees
The HSTPA strictly caps residential late fees at the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent. A mandatory 5-day grace period applies before any late fee can be assessed. Late fees alone cannot be the basis for an eviction proceeding.
For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.
Getting Started with Compliance
Navigating New York's multi-layered regulatory environment-from state law to NYC-specific ordinances-requires meticulous attention to detail. Landager simplifies this by providing state-specific lease templates with built-in disclosures, automated rent collection with HSTPA-compliant late fee calculations, and a centralized dashboard for tracking every compliance obligation across your portfolio.
Explore more New York compliance topics:
How Landager Helps
Landager tracks lease terms, HSTPA deadline compliance, and security deposit interest - making it easy to handle your property portfolio while staying compliant with New York regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What are the New York landlord-tenant laws every property owner should know?
New York is the most tenant-protective state in the US. Its regulatory framework combines the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 with the Good Cause Eviction Law of 2024, NYC's rent stabilization system, and extensive local ordinances. Security deposits are capped at one month's rent, late fees at $50 or 5% (whichever is lower), and landlords in NYC must demonstrate 'good cause' to evict or refuse lease renewal.
▶What is the New York eviction process and how long does it take?
New York's eviction process is lengthy and highly procedural. For non-payment, landlords must serve a 14-day written demand for rent. For holdover evictions, notice depends on tenancy length: 30 days (under 1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), or 90 days (over 2 years). Self-help evictions are strictly illegal. Under the 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law, NYC landlords must demonstrate enumerated legal reasons for eviction, making the process even more demanding.
Read the complete guide▶What is the New York security deposit limit and return deadline?
Under the HSTPA, New York landlords can collect a maximum of one month's rent as a security deposit statewide — this applies to all residential tenancies regardless of whether the unit is rent-stabilized or market-rate. Landlords must return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions within 14 days of the tenant vacating. Failure to comply forfeits the right to retain any portion.
Read the complete guide▶What are the New York rent increase laws and caps for landlords?
New York has multiple layers of rent regulation. NYC rent-stabilized units are governed by the Rent Guidelines Board, which set 3% for one-year and 4.5% for two-year leases in 2025-2026. Under the 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law, increases above 10% or 5% + CPI (whichever is lower) are presumed unreasonable and can be challenged in court. Market-rate units outside NYC remain unregulated unless the municipality opts into Good Cause.
Read the complete guide▶What is the grace period for late rent in New York?
New York mandates a 5-day grace period before any late fee can be assessed. Under the HSTPA, residential late fees are strictly capped at the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent. Late fees alone cannot be the basis for an eviction proceeding — landlords must pursue a separate non-payment action through Housing Court if rent remains unpaid after the 14-day demand notice.
Read the complete guide▶What disclosures must New York landlords provide to tenants?
New York requires extensive pre-lease disclosures including lead-based paint (plus NYC Local Law 1 for pre-1960 buildings), bed bug infestation history (NYC), flood risk and prior flood damage (statewide since 2023), mold history and remediation (NYC), Good Cause Eviction coverage status, window guard requirements for units with children under 11 (NYC), and smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance.
Read the complete guide▶What is Good Cause Eviction in New York and how does it affect landlords?
Effective April 20, 2024, the Good Cause Eviction Law transformed the landscape for market-rate apartments in NYC and opt-in municipalities. Landlords must now demonstrate enumerated legal reasons (non-payment, nuisance, illegal use, refusal of access) to evict or refuse lease renewal. The law also caps rent increases — increases above 10% or 5% + CPI are presumed unreasonable and tenants can challenge them in court.
Read the complete guide▶What are New York landlord maintenance obligations and habitability standards?
New York enforces the implied warranty of habitability, requiring landlords to maintain properties in livable condition. This includes working plumbing, heating (minimum 68°F during the day, 62°F at night from October to May), electrical systems, pest control, and structural integrity. NYC has additional requirements including window guards, lead paint abatement, mold remediation, and elevator maintenance. Tenants may withhold rent if habitability violations remain unaddressed.
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