New York Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

New York State is widely considered the most tenant-protective jurisdiction in the United States. 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 comprehensive and complex compliance landscape for landlords.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. New York rental laws are exceptionally complex and vary significantly between New York City and the rest of the state. Always consult a licensed attorney in New York for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

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. In New York City (and municipalities that opt in), 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. For 2025-2026: 3% for one-year leases, 4.5% for two-year leases.
• 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 one of the most extensive disclosure regimes in the country. Landlords must proactively disclose information regarding:

• Lead-based paint (federal + NYC Local Law 1 for pre-1960 buildings)
• Bed bug infestation history (NYC)
• Flood risk and prior flood damage (statewide, effective 2023)
• Mold history and remediation (NYC)
• Good Cause Eviction coverage status
• Window guard requirements (NYC, units with children under 11)
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance

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:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees