General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- Rent stabilization covers many apartments in New York City and in localities that opted in under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, a smaller set of older units remains under rent control, and the Good Cause Eviction Law adds limits in covered places.
- An increase of 5 percent or more needs 30 days of written notice if the tenant has lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, and 90 days for more than two years.
- There is no statewide cap, but in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law an increase above the local rent standard, generally inflation plus 5 percent and never more than 10 percent, is presumed unreasonable.
- Rent stabilized tenants receive renewal lease offers with increases limited to the rates generally set by the local rent guidelines board.
New York has no single statewide cap on rent, but rent stabilization covers many apartments in New York City and in localities that opted in. The 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law adds a reasonableness test for increases where it applies.
New York rent control at a glance
| Rule | New York | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Rent control status | Rent stabilization covers many apartments in New York City and in localities that opted in under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, a smaller set of older units remains under rent control, and the Good Cause Eviction Law adds limits in covered places. | Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974, Rent Stabilization Law and Real Property Law Article 6-A |
| Statewide cap on increases | There is no statewide cap, but in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law an increase above the local rent standard, generally inflation plus 5 percent and never more than 10 percent, is presumed unreasonable. | Good Cause Eviction Law (Real Property Law Article 6-A) |
| Notice before a rent increase | An increase of 5 percent or more needs 30 days of written notice if the tenant has lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, and 90 days for more than two years. | Real Property Law section 226-c |
| Notice before a rent increase | Rent stabilized tenants receive renewal lease offers with increases limited to the rates generally set by the local rent guidelines board. | Rent Stabilization Law and Code |
Does New York have rent control?
Rent control status. Rent stabilization covers many apartments in New York City and in localities that opted in under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, a smaller set of older units remains under rent control, and the Good Cause Eviction Law adds limits in covered places. (Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974, Rent Stabilization Law and Real Property Law Article 6-A)
Limits on increases
Statewide cap on increases. There is no statewide cap, but in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law an increase above the local rent standard, generally inflation plus 5 percent and never more than 10 percent, is presumed unreasonable. (Good Cause Eviction Law (Real Property Law Article 6-A))
City and county rules
Local ordinances. Some localities, including New York City and municipalities in Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties, have rent stabilization with yearly increases set by local rent guidelines boards. (Emergency Tenant Protection Act and local rent guidelines boards)
Notice before an increase
Notice before a rent increase. An increase of 5 percent or more needs 30 days of written notice if the tenant has lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, and 90 days for more than two years. (Real Property Law section 226-c)
Notice before a rent increase. Rent stabilized tenants receive renewal lease offers with increases limited to the rates generally set by the local rent guidelines board. (Rent Stabilization Law and Code)
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a unit is exempt without checking the exemption rules and any notice the exemption requires.
- Following state rules and missing a stricter city ordinance.
- Raising rent in the middle of a fixed term when the lease does not allow it.
- Giving less notice than the increase requires.
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these New York rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a New York attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974, Rent Stabilization Law and Real Property Law Article 6-A
- Good Cause Eviction Law (Real Property Law Article 6-A)
- Real Property Law section 226-c
- Rent Stabilization Law and Code
- Emergency Tenant Protection Act and local rent guidelines boards
Official sources
New York forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Before you act on it. Check the statute too; this is not legal advice.
Does New York have rent control?
Rent stabilization covers many apartments in New York City and in localities that opted in under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, a smaller set of older units remains under rent control, and the Good Cause Eviction Law adds limits in covered places. Source: Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974, Rent Stabilization Law and Real Property Law Article 6-A.
How much can rent go up in a year in New York?
There is no statewide cap, but in places covered by the Good Cause Eviction Law an increase above the local rent standard, generally inflation plus 5 percent and never more than 10 percent, is presumed unreasonable. Source: Good Cause Eviction Law (Real Property Law Article 6-A).
Do cities in New York have their own rent rules?
Some localities, including New York City and municipalities in Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties, have rent stabilization with yearly increases set by local rent guidelines boards. Source: Emergency Tenant Protection Act and local rent guidelines boards.