Local landlord and tenant rules in New York City, New York
New York City, New York has local rules on rent regulation (Rent Stabilization Law (NYC Admin. Code § 26-501 et seq.); 9 NYCRR Part 2520), good cause eviction (RPL §§ 211, 212, 214, 216; DHCR, Good Cause Eviction Law Required DHCR Notice (posted July 16, 2026; list as of May 4, 2026)), broker fees (NYC Admin. Code §§ 20-699.20 to 20-699.24 (Local Law 119 of 2024)) and 2 more kinds of rule, on top of New York law.
Local rules in New York City, New York
Rent regulation
Many New York City apartments are rent stabilized: their rent may not exceed the legal regulated rent registered with DHCR, and increases follow the Rent Guidelines Board.
Source: Rent Stabilization Law (NYC Admin. Code § 26-501 et seq.); 9 NYCRR Part 2520. Checked on October 16, 2026.
Good cause eviction
New York’s Good Cause Eviction Law applies throughout New York City: a covered tenant may be evicted only for a good cause the law lists and is entitled to a renewal, and a rent increase above the local rent standard — 8.38% for 2026 (3.38% inflation plus 5%) — is presumed unreasonable. Not covered: a landlord with no more than ten units in the state, a unit renting for more than 245% of HUD’s fair market rent, owner-occupied buildings of ten or fewer units, rent-stabilized and other regulated, income-restricted, condominium and co-op units, and buildings first given a certificate of occupancy in 2009 or later (for 30 years).
Source: RPL §§ 211, 212, 214, 216; DHCR, Good Cause Eviction Law Required DHCR Notice (posted July 16, 2026; list as of May 4, 2026) (read the source). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Broker fees
In New York City a tenant may not be charged a fee by the landlord’s broker or agent — including an agent who published the listing with the landlord’s permission — and every fee a tenant pays must be disclosed in writing before the lease (FARE Act).
Source: NYC Admin. Code §§ 20-699.20 to 20-699.24 (Local Law 119 of 2024). Checked on October 16, 2026.
Criminal background checks
In New York City a housing provider may not ask about criminal history, or run a background check, until after making a conditional offer in writing and giving the applicant the City’s Fair Chance Housing Notice. Only recent convictions may then be considered — felonies within five years and misdemeanors within three, counted from release or sentencing — and only after an individualized assessment that the applicant can answer. Owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer units are not covered.
Source: NYC Admin. Code §§ 8-102a, 8-107(5)(o) (Local Law 24 of 2024, in force January 1, 2025). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Rental registration
Every New York City building of three or more homes — and any one- or two-family house where neither the owner nor a family member lives — must be registered with HPD every year by September 1, and again when ownership or the managing agent changes; the $13 fee is billed by the Department of Finance. A multiple dwelling that is not registered faces civil penalties of $500 to $1,500 (five units or fewer) or $1,000 to $5,000 (more than five).
Source: NYC Admin. Code §§ 27-2097, 27-2107 (as amended by Local Law 71 of 2023) (read the source). Checked on November 11, 2026.
New York rules that apply in New York City
| Rule | New York |
|---|---|
| How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York? | 14 days |
| How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New York? | 1 month of rent |
| Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in New York? | Buildings of six or more units must hold the deposit in an interest-bearing New York account; the owner may keep 1 % as an administrative fee. |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in New York? | 30 / 60 / 90 days by tenancy length, on increases of 5% or more |
| How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in New York? | 30 / 60 / 90 days by tenancy length |
| How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in New York? | 14 days to pay |
| How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in New York? | $50 or 5%, whichever is less |
| Is there a grace period for paying rent in New York? | 5 days |
Every New York rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in New York City
67.2% of the occupied homes in New York City are rented, about 2,241,032 households, a share higher than across New York (45.7%).
The median gross rent is $1,821 a month, higher than across New York ($1,621); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
52.4% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
78.9% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| New York City | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 67.2% (±0.3 points) | 45.7% |
| Median gross rent | $1,821 (±$7) | $1,621 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 52.4% (±0.4 points) | 52.1% |
| Median income of renter households | $64,129 (±$611) | $57,803 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 78.9% (±0.4 points) | 73.9% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 62.2% (±0.2 points) | 34.7% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6% (±0.1 points) | 3.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 22.3% (±0.2 points) | 20.5% |
All housing figures for New York City: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — undefined. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rentals and records in New York City
Seayora reads open housing and building violation records for an address here from public data (New York City (HPD, DOB, ECB, OATH and 311)) and shows them on each building it manages.
Questions about New York City’s local rules
Does New York City have rent control?
Many New York City apartments are rent stabilized: their rent may not exceed the legal regulated rent registered with DHCR, and increases follow the Rent Guidelines Board. (Rent Stabilization Law (NYC Admin. Code § 26-501 et seq.); 9 NYCRR Part 2520)
Does a landlord in New York City need a reason to evict or not renew?
New York’s Good Cause Eviction Law applies throughout New York City: a covered tenant may be evicted only for a good cause the law lists and is entitled to a renewal, and a rent increase above the local rent standard — 8.38% for 2026 (3.38% inflation plus 5%) — is presumed unreasonable. Not covered: a landlord with no more than ten units in the state, a unit renting for more than 245% of HUD’s fair market rent, owner-occupied buildings of ten or fewer units, rent-stabilized and other regulated, income-restricted, condominium and co-op units, and buildings first given a certificate of occupancy in 2009 or later (for 30 years). (RPL §§ 211, 212, 214, 216; DHCR, Good Cause Eviction Law Required DHCR Notice (posted July 16, 2026; list as of May 4, 2026))
Who pays the broker’s fee in New York City?
In New York City a tenant may not be charged a fee by the landlord’s broker or agent — including an agent who published the listing with the landlord’s permission — and every fee a tenant pays must be disclosed in writing before the lease (FARE Act). (NYC Admin. Code §§ 20-699.20 to 20-699.24 (Local Law 119 of 2024))
Does New York City limit criminal background checks on rental applicants?
In New York City a housing provider may not ask about criminal history, or run a background check, until after making a conditional offer in writing and giving the applicant the City’s Fair Chance Housing Notice. Only recent convictions may then be considered — felonies within five years and misdemeanors within three, counted from release or sentencing — and only after an individualized assessment that the applicant can answer. Owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer units are not covered. (NYC Admin. Code §§ 8-102a, 8-107(5)(o) (Local Law 24 of 2024, in force January 1, 2025))
Do landlords have to register rentals in New York City?
Every New York City building of three or more homes — and any one- or two-family house where neither the owner nor a family member lives — must be registered with HPD every year by September 1, and again when ownership or the managing agent changes; the $13 fee is billed by the Department of Finance. A multiple dwelling that is not registered faces civil penalties of $500 to $1,500 (five units or fewer) or $1,000 to $5,000 (more than five). (NYC Admin. Code §§ 27-2097, 27-2107 (as amended by Local Law 71 of 2023))
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.