New York City Residential Lease Agreement
Generate a residential lease agreement that complies with New York City's local ordinances — including rent control rules, just-cause eviction requirements, and mandatory disclosures that go beyond New York state law.
New York City Residential Lease Agreement
New York City, New York
Local Ordinances
New York City Lease Requirements
What New York City's local ordinances require that New York state law does not.
Landlords must register all rental units with the NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) by September 1 each year, including owner contact information and a designated managing agent.
Leases for stabilized units must include a Rent Stabilization Lease Rider disclosing the legal regulated rent, the prior tenant's rent, and the basis for any increase above the preferential rent.
Under the FARE Act (Local Law 18 of 2024), the party who hires a broker bears the broker's fee — landlords may not require tenants to pay broker fees they did not engage.
The Tenant Data Privacy Act requires landlords using smart-access technology (key fobs, apps, facial recognition) to post a data retention policy and obtain tenant consent before collecting biometric data.
Landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide new tenants with a written disclosure of the building's bedbug infestation history for the prior year on a form prescribed by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Restrictions & Limits
Rent-stabilized units (pre-1974 buildings with 6+ units) may only increase rent by amounts set annually by the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB); for 2024–2025, RGB approved 2.75% for one-year and 5.25% for two-year leases.
Landlords may not refuse to renew a rent-stabilized lease except for the specific grounds enumerated in the Rent Stabilization Code (RSC §2524.3), such as non-primary residence or owner occupancy.
For market-rate tenants with lease terms of less than one year, landlords must provide 30 days' written notice of non-renewal; 60 days for tenants with one to two years of residency; 90 days for tenants with two or more years of residency, per HSTPA 2019.
Security deposits are capped at one month's rent for all residential tenants statewide (HSTPA 2019, Real Property Law §702); landlords must return the deposit within 14 days of vacancy with an itemized statement.
Landlords of rent-stabilized units may not collect a preferential rent below the legal regulated rent and then increase to the legal regulated rent mid-tenancy except upon lease renewal after the lease term in which the preferential rent was charged expires.
Notice Requirements
New York City landlords must provide written non-renewal notice of 30 days for tenancies under one year, 60 days for tenancies of one to two years, and 90 days for tenancies of two or more years, and rent-stabilized tenants must receive a renewal lease offer 90 to 150 days before lease expiration.
FAQ
New York City Lease FAQ
Common questions about renting in New York City.
Does rent stabilization apply to my apartment?
Rent stabilization generally covers apartments in buildings with six or more units built before January 1, 1974, unless the building received certain tax benefits that brought newer units under stabilization. You can look up your unit's stabilization status on the NYC Rent Guidelines Board website or request your apartment's rental history from the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). Buildings that received 421-a or J-51 tax benefits may also be covered regardless of construction date.
Can my landlord charge me a broker fee in New York City?
Under the FARE Act (Local Law 18 of 2024), which took effect June 11, 2025, only the party who hires the broker is responsible for paying the broker's fee — meaning landlords who hire listing agents cannot pass that fee to tenants. If you find an apartment through a landlord's broker without hiring your own agent, you owe no broker fee. Landlords who violate this rule can be fined up to $2,000 per violation.
What happens if my landlord fails to return my security deposit within 14 days?
Under HSTPA 2019 (Real Property Law §702), if a landlord fails to return your security deposit (capped at one month's rent) with an itemized written statement of deductions within 14 days of your vacating the unit, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit. You may pursue the full deposit in Small Claims Court, and willful violations can result in double damages.
What notice must a landlord give before entering my apartment?
New York law requires landlords to provide reasonable notice before entering, which courts have generally interpreted as 24 hours except in genuine emergencies. While there is no specific statutory hour requirement for non-emergency entry, entering without notice or consent may constitute harassment under the NYC Rent Stabilization Code (RSC §2525.5), which prohibits landlord conduct intended to force a tenant to vacate.
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