Good Cause Eviction in New York City — coverage, the local rent standard and the notice
Which of your NYC units the Good Cause Eviction law covers, the exemptions and how each is decided, the highest presumptively reasonable rent increase, and the § 231-c notice every lease and renewal must carry.
New York's Good Cause Eviction law (RPL Article 6-A) covers most market-rate apartments in New York City. A covered tenant can be refused a renewal only for a reason the law names, and an increase above the local rent standard is presumptively unreasonable — the landlord may still show a court why a larger one is needed.
The local rent standard
The standard Seayora applies is 8.38% (5% plus the 3.38% CPI change, never more than 10%), from May 4, 2026. Each unit shows the highest rent that stays within it.
Exemptions
A unit is covered unless an exemption applies. Some are worked out from the record — a stabilized unit is exempt under D, a building with a certificate of occupancy from 2009 or later under G, a rent above 245% of HUD fair market rent under N. The others are yours to answer, and your answer is recorded as your attestation with your name and the date. Until the open questions are answered the law presumes coverage, and Seayora says so.
| Letter | Exemption | How Seayora knows |
|---|---|---|
| A | The municipality (outside New York City) has not adopted the Good Cause law | Worked out from the record |
| B | Small landlord — no natural person owns or beneficially owns more than 10 units in New York State | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| C | Owner-occupied building with no more than 10 units | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| D | The unit is subject to rent or eviction regulation under other law (rent stabilization, rent control and similar) | Worked out from the record |
| E | The unit must by law or agreement be affordable at a specific income level | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| F | A condominium or cooperative unit, or a building under an Attorney General offering plan | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| G | Certificate of occupancy issued on or after January 1, 2009 — for 30 years | Worked out from the record |
| H | A seasonal use dwelling unit | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| I | A hospital, care facility, assisted living or qualifying senior community | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| J | A manufactured home in a manufactured home park | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| K | A hotel room or other transient (Class B) use | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| L | A dormitory owned and operated by a college or school | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| M | Housing within and used by a religious facility or institution | Your answer, recorded as your attestation |
| N | Monthly rent above 245% of HUD fair market rent for the county | Worked out from the record |
The notice
Every initial lease, renewal lease, notice of non-renewal and nonpayment petition must carry the notice of whether Good Cause applies (RPL § 231-c). Issue it from the unit — with the increase and its reason on a renewal — and it is filed in Documents, and in the tenant's when you name them. An increase above the standard must state its reason on the notice.
Frequently asked questions
Does Good Cause apply to a rent-stabilized apartment?
No — a stabilized unit is exempt under D because it is already regulated. Its renewal is governed by the Rent Guidelines Board instead.
Can I raise the rent above the standard?
An increase above it is presumptively unreasonable, not forbidden: the landlord may show a court why it is needed, and the notice must state the reason. Seayora shows the cap and whether a proposed rent is above it.
Does Seayora decide whether my building is exempt?
Only where the record decides it. The attested exemptions are your answers, recorded as such; take advice if you are unsure.
Related guides
- NYC rent stabilization — the legal rent, audited step by step
- DHCR registration, renewal offers and the riders every lease needs
- The Legal Rent-Increase Advisor
Related features and guides
- NYC rent stabilization — the legal rent, audited step by step — Documentation. Seayora keeps each rent-stabilized unit's rent history, works its legal regulated rent out lease by lease from the Rent Guidelines Board orders and the law, tracks DHCR registration and renewals, and flags what does not add up — with the citation beside every figure. It never files anything with DHCR.
- DHCR registration, renewal offers and the riders every lease needs — Documentation. The annual registration, the 150-to-90-day renewal window, the rents the next order allows, and the riders and notices a stabilized lease must carry — with each one's law.
- The Legal Rent-Increase Advisor — Documentation. What the market is asking for a unit like yours, capped by the law that applies to that unit — the NYC Rent Guidelines Board orders and the Good Cause standard — with the law cited, and no number where the law is not verified.
- Compliance Alerts & Required Filings — Feature. Seayora watches your properties for new violations and works out which recurring filings each building owes, turns both into a dated checklist, and emails you when something new appears. Live violation data for New York City; rule-based filing obligations across the NYC metro.
- Lease Renewals & Amendments — Feature. Handle renewals, rent increases, and amendments against the original lease, with the right notices and a clean signed record of every change.
- NYC Compliance Tracking — Feature. Track New York City property compliance requirements and deadlines alongside the rest of your portfolio operations.