Saratoga County, NY Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)

New York's Good Cause Eviction Law (Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act expansion, Real Property Law §226-c Part A, effective 2024) applies automatically only in New York City. Outside NYC, municipalities must affirmatively OPT IN by local law to extend Good Cause protections — as of 2026, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Malta, Ballston Spa, and all Saratoga County towns have NOT opted in, so Good Cause Eviction does not apply. Tenants are still protected by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA), which under RPL §226-c requires advance notice of non-renewal or rent hikes over 5%: 30 days for tenants under 1 year, 60 days for 1-2 years, 90 days for 2+ years. RPAPL Article 7 governs eviction procedure — landlords must use court eviction with 14-day rent demand (RPAPL §711), may not self-help evict (RPAPL §768), and tenants have right to counsel in eviction cases in some counties. Retaliatory eviction is prohibited under RPL §223-b. Security deposits are limited to one month's rent under GOL §7-108. Saratoga County landlords who want local Good Cause protections should lobby their town board to opt in.