Yonkers Landlord-Tenant Rules
Yonkers 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 | Yonkers has adopted the state Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA), so rent stabilization applies to covered apartments in the city. The state housing agency says rent stabilization generally covers buildings built between 1947 and 1974, plus some newer buildings that receive tax benefits. Allowable increases on renewal leases are set each year by the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board. The Board's 2026 process set guidelines for leases starting between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027. Rent-stabilized tenants can get their apartment's registration and rent history from the state's Office of Rent Administration. Rent Guidelines Board notice: https://hcr.ny.gov/westchester-county-rgb-public-meetings-notice-june-2026. The adopted 2026-27 percentages were not readable in the Board's official explanatory statement (scanned document) on https://hcr.ny.gov/rent-guidelines-board-hearings; check that page or call the Board at (914) 461-9047. Building-size and construction-date rules for ETPA coverage are on the New York State page. |
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| Just-cause eviction | Yonkers has not opted into New York's Good Cause Eviction Law. It does not appear on the state housing agency's list of municipalities outside New York City that had adopted the law as of May 4, 2026. Tenants in rent-stabilized apartments already have renewal and eviction protections under ETPA. Source: N.Y. Real Property Law Sec. 213 |
| Tenant right to counsel | Under Westchester County's Housing Counsel Law, tenants facing eviction and related proceedings are entitled to free legal representation if their gross household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the county's average median income for their household size (for example, $91,800 a year for a family of three, as of July 2025). The County Office of Housing Counsel, open since July 2025, connects tenants with contracted legal providers and with counseling and financial help. Call 2-1-1 (24 hours) or use the online intake form at housingcounsel.westchestergov.com. This is a county program that covers Yonkers. Contracted legal providers: Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Human Development Services of Westchester, Hudson Valley Justice Center and the Law Office of Tracy Forrest. |
| Source-of-income protection | The Westchester County Fair Housing Law, which applies in Yonkers, bars housing discrimination based on source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Complaints go to the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, (914) 995-9500. State law also protects source of income; see the New York State page. |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | The Housing Division of the Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings enforces the state Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the Yonkers Housing and Building Maintenance Code and the Multiple Residence Law. It inspects apartment buildings, investigates heat and hot water complaints, general housing complaints and illegal apartments, and does certificate of occupancy inspections. Complaints can be filed online with the Department. General housing: 914-377-6527. No heat or hot water: 914-377-6879 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or 914-965-3331 (4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.). |
Eviction cases in Yonkers are heard in: Yonkers City Court, 100 South Broadway, Yonkers
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Yes, under Westchester County's Housing Counsel Law for households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or 60% of county median income. Official source
Local agencies
- Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings, Housing Division — Housing code inspections and tenant complaints, including heat and hot water. 914-377-6527.
- Westchester County Office of Housing Counsel — Connects eligible tenants with free eviction defense lawyers, counseling and financial help. Call 2-1-1.
- Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board (c/o NYS Homes and Community Renewal) — Sets yearly renewal increases for ETPA rent-stabilized apartments. 75 South Broadway, White Plains. (914) 461-9047.
- Westchester County Human Rights Commission — Takes housing discrimination complaints, including source of income. (914) 995-9500.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Yonkers add on top of New York law?
Rent stabilization: Yonkers has adopted the state Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA), so rent stabilization applies to covered apartments in the city. The state housing agency says rent stabilization generally covers buildings built between 1947 and 1974, plus some newer buildings that receive tax benefits. Allowable increases on renewal leases are set each year by the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board. The Board's 2026 process set guidelines for leases starting between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027. Rent-stabilized tenants can get their apartment's registration and rent history from the state's Office of Rent Administration.; Just-cause eviction: Yonkers has not opted into New York's Good Cause Eviction Law. It does not appear on the state housing agency's list of municipalities outside New York City that had adopted the law as of May 4, 2026. Tenants in rent-stabilized apartments already have renewal and eviction protections under ETPA.; Tenant right to counsel: Under Westchester County's Housing Counsel Law, tenants facing eviction and related proceedings are entitled to free legal representation if their gross household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the county's average median income for their household size (for example, $91,800 a year for a family of three, as of July 2025). The County Office of Housing Counsel, open since July 2025, connects tenants with contracted legal providers and with counseling and financial help. Call 2-1-1 (24 hours) or use the online intake form at housingcounsel.westchestergov.com.; Source-of-income protection: The Westchester County Fair Housing Law, which applies in Yonkers, bars housing discrimination based on source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Complaints go to the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, (914) 995-9500.
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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.