New York Rent Increase Laws: Good Cause & Stabilization
Understand New York's rent increase laws including the 2024 Good Cause cap, rent stabilization in NYC, and required notice periods for all tenancies.
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.
Rent regulation in New York is a multi-layered system that varies dramatically depending on the type of unit, its location, and its regulatory status. Under the primary framework established by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (effective June 14, 2019), and expanded by the 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law (effective April 20, 2024), landlords must navigate rigorous notice requirements and reasonableness caps to ensure compliance.
The Three Tiers of New York Rent Regulation
1. Rent-Controlled Units
Rent control applies to residential buildings built before February 1, 1947 in municipalities that have declared a housing emergency (primarily parts of NYC). These units have the strictest caps:
- Rent increases are limited to the lesser of the average of the last five RGB one-year lease renewal increases or 7.5%.
- The Maximum Base Rent (MBR) is adjusted every two years by the NYC Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
2. Rent-Stabilized Units (NYC)
Rent stabilization covers approximately one million apartments in New York City-typically in buildings with six or more units built before 1974.
The NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets maximum annual increases:
Landlords of rent-stabilized units must offer a renewal lease to the tenant 90-150 days before the current lease expires.
3. Market-Rate / Unregulated Units (Good Cause Law)
For market-rate apartments in NYC (and opt-in municipalities), the 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law creates a presumption of unreasonableness for rent increases that exceed:
- 10% per year, or
- 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - whichever is lower.
This does not make such increases illegal outright, but tenants can challenge them in court, and the landlord bears the burden of proving the increase is justified by legitimate costs (property taxes, insurance, capital improvements, etc.).
Notice Requirements for Rent Increases
Under NY Real Property Law § 226-c (HSTPA), the notice period for a rent increase depends on the tenant's length of occupancy:
These notice requirements apply statewide and cover both rent increases and non-renewals.
Fixed-Term Leases
Rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease unless the lease contains a specific rent escalation clause. To raise rent at renewal, the landlord must provide the appropriate notice before the lease expires.
Prohibited Practices
- Retaliatory increases: Raising rent in response to a tenant exercising a legal right (filing a complaint, requesting repairs) is illegal.
- Discriminatory increases: Targeting specific tenants based on protected characteristics violates the Fair Housing Act and NY Human Rights Law.
- Exceeding RGB limits: For rent-stabilized units, charging more than the Board-approved increase is a violation enforceable by the DHCR.
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 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.
▶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.
▶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.
Read the complete guide▶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 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 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.
Read the complete guide📬 Get notified when these laws change
We'll email you when landlord-tenant laws update in No spam — only law changes.
