New York City Landlord-Tenant Rules
New York City adds local rules on top of New York landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rent stabilization | Rent-stabilized apartments (generally buildings of 6 or more units built before 1974, plus units receiving certain tax benefits) can only be raised on lease renewal by the percentages the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets each year. For leases starting October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (Apartment/Loft Order #58), the increase is 0% for both 1-year and 2-year leases. For leases that started October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 (Order #57), the increases were 3% for a 1-year lease and 4.5% for a 2-year lease. Order #58 also applies 0% to lofts under MDL Art. 7-C and to units in buildings receiving RPTL 421-a or 423 benefits. Order #57 (3% / 4.5%): https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/2025-26-apartment-loft-order-57/. The NY State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) administers rent stabilization registration and overcharge complaints. That is covered on the state page. |
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| Just-cause eviction | New York State's Good Cause Eviction law (effective April 20, 2024) applies automatically in New York City to many unregulated, market-rate apartments. Landlords of covered units may not end a tenancy (evict, refuse to renew, or terminate a month-to-month) without a listed good-cause reason. A rent increase above the 'local rent standard' (inflation plus 5%, capped at 10%) can be found unreasonable. As of May 4, 2026, HPD reports NYC-area inflation of 3.38%, so the local rent standard is 8.38%. Exemptions include small landlords who own 10 or fewer units in New York State. Landlords must give a notice when offering an increase above 5% saying whether Good Cause applies. Rent-stabilized tenants already have renewal rights under rent stabilization. This is a state law. It is listed here because it applies in NYC automatically, while other localities must opt in. The local rent standard is recalculated each year. |
| Tenant right to counsel | NYC's Right-to-Counsel law (Local Law 136 of 2017, codified as Admin. Code Title 26, Chapter 13) gives tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or NYCHA administrative proceedings access to free legal services through the Office of Civil Justice (OCJ, within DSS/HRA). Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level get full legal representation. Tenants above that level get brief legal assistance. Tenants can ask for a lawyer at their first Housing Court appearance. The 200% FPL standard is from the official NYC Opportunity policy brief: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/opportunity/pdf/policybriefs/right-to-counsel.pdf. HRA's Office of Civil Justice describes Local Law 136 as codified in Chapter 13 of Title 26 of the Admin. Code (https://www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/civiljustice/post-223-2021-ocj-notice-of-hearing-rev10152021.pdf); § 26-1301 is the definitions section. |
| Source-of-income discrimination | Under the NYC Human Rights Law, landlords and brokers may not refuse to rent to, or advertise against, applicants who pay with lawful sources of income such as Section 8, SSI, HASA, CityFHEPS or other public assistance. This has been illegal since 2008 and covers most NYC rentals regardless of building size. Exceptions apply to small owner-occupied buildings and units that are not publicly advertised. Complaints go to the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Code text as published by the NYC Commission on Human Rights (Title 8, July 2021): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/Title-8-Text-of-the-Law-8-2021.pdf. The exception covers a unit in an owner-occupied building with no more than two families, or a room in the owner's or occupant's own unit, if not publicly advertised. |
| Lockouts/harassment | It is illegal for NYC landlords to force tenants out or pressure them to give up their rights. Harassment includes unjustified eviction notices, illegal lockouts, and failing to correct dangerous conditions or repeatedly disrupting heat, hot water, gas or electric service. Tenants can bring a harassment claim in Housing Court and should report conditions to 311, saying they believe they are being harassed. HPD's Anti-Harassment Unit investigates referrals from the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants. Section numbers confirmed in Department of Hous. Preserv. & Dev. v Rosenfeld, 2024 NY Slip Op 24233 (https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2024/2024_24233.htm), and, for § 26-521 (forcible eviction is a misdemeanor), on the NYC Council's unlawful-evictions page (https://council.nyc.gov/data/unlawful-evictions-in-nyc/). The HPD page supports the substance. |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Repair and condition complaints (heat, hot water, mold, pests, leaks) go to 311 (portal.311.nyc.gov). HPD inspects and issues Housing Maintenance Code violations, and those violations can be used as evidence in Housing Court cases. Housing Court Answers runs a hotline at 212-962-4795. |
Eviction cases in New York City are heard in: Civil Court of the City of New York, Housing Part (Housing Court), with a part in each borough
Eviction court, fees and help
- Eviction in Brooklyn (Kings County)
- Eviction in Manhattan (New York County)
- Eviction in Queens (Queens County)
- Eviction in The Bronx (Bronx County)
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Yes, citywide. Full representation for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and brief advice for others, in Housing Court and NYCHA proceedings. Official source
Local agencies
- NYC Rent Guidelines Board — Sets the yearly allowable lease-renewal increases for rent-stabilized apartments.
- NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) — Enforces the Housing Maintenance Code, investigates harassment, and publishes Good Cause Eviction guidance.
- Office of Civil Justice (DSS/HRA) — Runs Right-to-Counsel free legal services for tenants facing eviction.
- NYC Commission on Human Rights — Investigates housing discrimination, including source-of-income discrimination.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does New York City add on top of New York law?
Rent stabilization: Rent-stabilized apartments (generally buildings of 6 or more units built before 1974, plus units receiving certain tax benefits) can only be raised on lease renewal by the percentages the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets each year. For leases starting October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (Apartment/Loft Order #58), the increase is 0% for both 1-year and 2-year leases. For leases that started October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 (Order #57), the increases were 3% for a 1-year lease and 4.5% for a 2-year lease. Order #58 also applies 0% to lofts under MDL Art. 7-C and to units in buildings receiving RPTL 421-a or 423 benefits.; Just-cause eviction: New York State's Good Cause Eviction law (effective April 20, 2024) applies automatically in New York City to many unregulated, market-rate apartments. Landlords of covered units may not end a tenancy (evict, refuse to renew, or terminate a month-to-month) without a listed good-cause reason. A rent increase above the 'local rent standard' (inflation plus 5%, capped at 10%) can be found unreasonable. As of May 4, 2026, HPD reports NYC-area inflation of 3.38%, so the local rent standard is 8.38%. Exemptions include small landlords who own 10 or fewer units in New York State. Landlords must give a notice when offering an increase above 5% saying whether Good Cause applies. Rent-stabilized tenants already have renewal rights under rent stabilization.; Tenant right to counsel: NYC's Right-to-Counsel law (Local Law 136 of 2017, codified as Admin. Code Title 26, Chapter 13) gives tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or NYCHA administrative proceedings access to free legal services through the Office of Civil Justice (OCJ, within DSS/HRA). Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level get full legal representation. Tenants above that level get brief legal assistance. Tenants can ask for a lawyer at their first Housing Court appearance.; Source-of-income discrimination: Under the NYC Human Rights Law, landlords and brokers may not refuse to rent to, or advertise against, applicants who pay with lawful sources of income such as Section 8, SSI, HASA, CityFHEPS or other public assistance. This has been illegal since 2008 and covers most NYC rentals regardless of building size. Exceptions apply to small owner-occupied buildings and units that are not publicly advertised. Complaints go to the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
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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.