Know your rights as a renter in New York. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under New York law.
Legal basis: New York landlord-tenant law — New York Real Property Law
1 month's rent (exceptions for seasonal rentals, owner-occupied co-ops and some regulated or senior housing)
Return Deadline
14 days
Interest on deposits required
Separate escrow account not required
Deposit & Fee Details
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under New York law
Security deposit protections
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Tenant may sue for return of deposit plus damages; landlord who fails to provide itemized deductions forfeits right to retain any portion.
Interest on your deposit is required
Interest required for buildings with 6+ units; landlord may retain 1% per year as administrative fee.
Late-fee rules
Grace period
No late fee unless rent is still unpaid 5 days after the due date
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Governing statute: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a
Landlord Entry Rights
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
No state rule
No New York statute sets entry notice; your lease's terms apply
No New York statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering. Your lease's entry terms apply, so check what it says about notice and entry times.
More New York Tenant Protections
How much notice is required to raise rent in New York?
30-90 days notice (5%+ increases)
•For an increase of 5% or more: 30 days' written notice if you've lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, 90 days for two years or more, counting your lease length if it is longer (Real Prop. Law § 226-c)
•If notice comes late, your current rent continues until the notice period has run (Real Prop. Law § 226-c(2))
•Good Cause Eviction (New York City and towns that opted in): an increase above 5% plus inflation, or 10% if lower, is presumed unreasonable for covered units (Real Prop. Law §§ 211, 214, 216)
•Rent-stabilized units follow their own yearly limits
Legal basis: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c; N.Y. Real Prop. Law §§ 211, 214, 216
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in New York?
No set deadline in state law
•Every lease includes a promise that the home is fit to live in and free of conditions dangerous to health or safety (RPL § 235-b)
•This right cannot be waived in a lease (RPL § 235-b(2))
•No statewide repair deadline; a court can reduce the rent owed while the promise was broken (RPL § 235-b(3))
•If sued for unpaid rent over a dangerous condition, the court may pause the case if you pay the rent to the court clerk (RPAPL § 755)
•A utility bill you lawfully pay because the landlord did not can be deducted from rent (RPL § 235-a)
•NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester: one-third of tenants can ask a court to put rent toward repairs (RPAPL §§ 769-770)
•NYC and places that adopt the Multiple Dwelling Law: heat Oct 1-May 31 and hot water year-round in covered apartment buildings (MDL §§ 3, 75, 79)
Legal basis: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-b
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in New York?
Protected
•Strong protections
•Cannot evict for complaints
•Rent stabilized have extra protections
Legal basis: RPL § 223-b
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in New York?
30 days' notice
•A tenant whose household includes a victim of domestic violence, and who reasonably fears staying, may end the lease
•Give written notice naming a date at least 30 days later, and documentation within 25 days (an order of protection, a police or health care record, or a qualified third party's verification)
•Rent is owed pro rata to the end date, and the deposit cannot be kept because you left early
•A lease clause waiving this right is void
Legal basis: RPL § 227-c
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in New York?
Self-help illegal
•Self-help evictions illegal
•Court process required
•Very strong protections
Legal basis: RPAPL § 768
Did You Know?
Important facts about New York rental law
1
New York limits security deposits to 1 month's rent for most homes; registered seasonal rentals, owner-occupied co-ops and some regulated or senior housing are exempt.
2
New York landlords must return deposits within 14 days of move-out.
3
New York rent-stabilized tenants have significant protections against large rent increases.
4
NYC tenants are protected by some of the strongest tenant laws in the country.
In New York, the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent (exceptions for seasonal rentals, owner-occupied co-ops and some regulated or senior housing).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?
New York landlords must return security deposits within 14 days after you move out.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in New York?
No New York statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.
How much can a landlord charge for a late fee in New York?
Late fees in New York: $50 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is less. State law provides a 5-day grace period before a late fee can apply.
How much notice is required to raise rent in New York?
30-90 days notice (5%+ increases). For an increase of 5% or more: 30 days' written notice if you've lived there under a year, 60 days for one to two years, 90 days for two years or more, counting your lease length if it is longer (Real Prop. Law § 226-c). If notice comes late, your current rent continues until the notice period has run (Real Prop. Law § 226-c(2)). Good Cause Eviction (New York City and towns that opted in): an increase above 5% plus inflation, or 10% if lower, is presumed unreasonable for covered units (Real Prop. Law §§ 211, 214, 216). Rent-stabilized units follow their own yearly limits. Source: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c; N.Y. Real Prop. Law §§ 211, 214, 216.
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in New York?
No set deadline in state law. Every lease includes a promise that the home is fit to live in and free of conditions dangerous to health or safety (RPL § 235-b). This right cannot be waived in a lease (RPL § 235-b(2)). No statewide repair deadline; a court can reduce the rent owed while the promise was broken (RPL § 235-b(3)). If sued for unpaid rent over a dangerous condition, the court may pause the case if you pay the rent to the court clerk (RPAPL § 755). A utility bill you lawfully pay because the landlord did not can be deducted from rent (RPL § 235-a). NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester: one-third of tenants can ask a court to put rent toward repairs (RPAPL §§ 769-770). NYC and places that adopt the Multiple Dwelling Law: heat Oct 1-May 31 and hot water year-round in covered apartment buildings (MDL §§ 3, 75, 79). Source: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-b.
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in New York?
Protected. Strong protections. Cannot evict for complaints. Rent stabilized have extra protections. Source: RPL § 223-b.
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in New York?
30 days' notice. A tenant whose household includes a victim of domestic violence, and who reasonably fears staying, may end the lease. Give written notice naming a date at least 30 days later, and documentation within 25 days (an order of protection, a police or health care record, or a qualified third party's verification). Rent is owed pro rata to the end date, and the deposit cannot be kept because you left early. A lease clause waiving this right is void. Source: RPL § 227-c.
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in New York?
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Very strong protections. Source: RPAPL § 768.
What are my rights as a tenant in New York?
New York tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against New York law.
More for New York renters
Common tenant-rights questions
Plain-language answers that apply in New York and beyond