How NYC Rent Increase Laws Work

Approximately 1 million apartments in NYC are rent stabilized. These are typically in buildings with 6+ units built before 1974. The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) votes each year on the maximum allowable increase.

For leases renewing between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026 (Order #57), the maximum increases are:

Your landlord must offer you a renewal lease and cannot exceed these rates. If they do, you can file a complaint with DHCR.

Effective April 20, 2024, the Good Cause Eviction Law provides new protections for many market-rate tenants. If your building qualifies, your landlord's rent increase is presumptively unreasonable if it exceeds the local rent standard.

To qualify, your building generally must have been built before 2009, your landlord must own more than 10 rental units in NYS, and your rent must be below 245% of the HUD Fair Market Rent for your unit size.

If your apartment doesn't qualify for either Rent Stabilization or Good Cause protection, there is no legal cap on how much your landlord can increase your rent. However, you still have rights:

• • Your landlord must give proper notice before increasing rent (30, 60, or 90 days depending on tenancy length)
• • Rent increases cannot be retaliatory (e.g., for complaining about conditions)
• • You can always negotiate — most landlords prefer keeping good tenants
• • Research comparable rents in your area to negotiate from a position of knowledge