Rental Application in New York

A rental application that collects what landlords commonly ask for. Follow your state's limits on application fees and fair-housing rules: ask every applicant the same questions.

What New York law says

Application / screening fees	Application fees are banned. Apart from fees required by statute or regulation, a landlord may not charge any fee to process, review, or accept an application, or any other payment before or at the start of the tenancy, except a background/credit check fee. That fee is capped at the lesser of the actual cost or $20. It must be waived if the applicant provides a background or credit check from the past 30 days. The landlord may collect it only after giving the applicant a copy of the check and the receipt or invoice. Lease waivers are void. Exceptions exist for certain cooperative housing corporations (purchase applications) and senior or continuing-care communities. Separately, a landlord may not refuse to rent because an applicant was involved in a past or pending housing court case (RPL § 227-f, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/227-F). Source: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(1), (3)
Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, or setting different terms, because of a person's 'lawful source of income' is an unlawful discriminatory practice. The definition includes child support, alimony, foster care subsidies, Social Security, any federal, state, or local public assistance or housing assistance, including Section 8 vouchers (whether or not paid directly to the landlord), and any other lawful income. Definition: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/292. Source: N.Y. Exec. Law § 296(5)(a); § 292 (definition of 'lawful source of income')

Application / screening fees

Application fees are banned. Apart from fees required by statute or regulation, a landlord may not charge any fee to process, review, or accept an application, or any other payment before or at the start of the tenancy, except a background/credit check fee. That fee is capped at the lesser of the actual cost or $20. It must be waived if the applicant provides a background or credit check from the past 30 days. The landlord may collect it only after giving the applicant a copy of the check and the receipt or invoice. Lease waivers are void.

Exceptions exist for certain cooperative housing corporations (purchase applications) and senior or continuing-care communities. Separately, a landlord may not refuse to rent because an applicant was involved in a past or pending housing court case (RPL § 227-f, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPP/227-F).

Source: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(1), (3)

Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income

Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, or setting different terms, because of a person's 'lawful source of income' is an unlawful discriminatory practice. The definition includes child support, alimony, foster care subsidies, Social Security, any federal, state, or local public assistance or housing assistance, including Section 8 vouchers (whether or not paid directly to the landlord), and any other lawful income.

Definition: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/292.

Source: N.Y. Exec. Law § 296(5)(a); § 292 (definition of 'lawful source of income')

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RENTAL APPLICATION — [rental address]

Applicant name: [applicant name] Phone: [phone] Email: [email]

Current address: [current address] How long: [time at current address] Current rent: $[current rent]

Current landlord: [current landlord name and phone]

Previous address and landlord: [previous address and landlord]

Employer: [employer] Position: [position] Monthly income: $[monthly income] Other income (including housing vouchers or benefits): [other income]

Other adults who will live in the unit: [other adult occupants] Number of minors: [number of minors]

Pets or assistance animals: [pets] Vehicles: [vehicles]

Application fee: $[application fee] (see your state's rule above). Screening company used: [screening company name and contact]

I authorize the landlord to verify this information and obtain a tenant screening or credit report. Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]

Rental Application for other states · New York tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.