Rent control rules in Buffalo, NY — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Buffalo is not subject to NYC-style rent stabilization, but NY Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) allows opt-in. City Council has debated ETPA adoption; NY Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act 2019 strengthens tenant protections statewide.
Buffalo has no traditional rent control. The NY Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 (ETPA) permits municipalities to opt into rent stabilization after declaring a housing emergency (vacancy rate under 5 percent). Buffalo Common Council has debated ETPA adoption amid rising rents, most recently in 2023, but has not enacted stabilization. The NY Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 applies statewide and limits security deposits to 1 month rent, caps late fees at 50 dollars or 5 percent, requires 30-90 day notice for rent increases over 5 percent or non-renewal, and restricts eviction for non-payment. Just Cause Eviction has been proposed locally. Tenants have right to written lease receipts and rent receipts.
Security deposit over 1 month: tenant recovery plus damages. Improper notice of rent increase: delays enforcement. Retaliation: treble damages possible.
Buffalo, NY
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Buffalo, NY
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Buffalo, NY
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Buffalo, NY
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Buffalo, NY
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Buffalo, NY
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See how Buffalo's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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