Rent control rules in New York, NY — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
NYC has the nation's most extensive rent regulation system. Rent stabilization (Admin Code §26-501 et seq.) covers approximately 1 million apartments in buildings with 6+ units built before 1974. Rent control (NYC Rent and Rehabilitation Law) covers a smaller number of pre-1947 tenants. The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 strengthened protections significantly.
NYC's rent regulation system has two components. Rent control applies to tenants (or their successors) who have continuously occupied apartments in buildings built before February 1, 1947 since before July 1, 1971. Only a few tens of thousands of units remain rent-controlled, and the number decreases through vacancy decontrol. Rent stabilization is far more extensive, covering approximately 1 million apartments in buildings with 6+ units built before January 1, 1974, plus buildings receiving certain tax benefits (421-a, J-51). The NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets annual rent increase percentages for stabilized apartments. The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) eliminated vacancy decontrol (previously at $2,774/month), ended vacancy bonuses and longevity increases, capped Individual Apartment Improvements at $15,000 over 15 years, and strengthened enforcement. The DHCR (Division of Housing and Community Renewal) administers rent regulation statewide. Tenants can verify their apartment's status through DHCR records.
Overcharging rent-stabilized tenants: treble damages plus attorney fees under HSTPA. Failure to register with DHCR: $500 per unit per year. Harassment of regulated tenants: civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Illegal deregulation: rent rollback and penalties.
New York, NY
New York City enforces strict noise rules under Administrative Code Title 24, Chapter 2 (the NYC Noise Code, rewritten by Local Law 113 of 2005). Sound excee...
New York, NY
NYC bans commercial vehicles on residential streets 9 PM-5 AM and caps any commercial-vehicle parking at 3 hours per block (NYC Admin Code §19-170). 'Commerc...
New York, NY
In NYC residence districts, Zoning Resolution §23-44 limits fences in front yards to 4 feet above adjoining grade and permits walls up to 8 feet (not roofed ...
New York, NY
Section 161.05 of the New York City Health Code requires every dog in any public place, or in any open or unfenced area abutting a public place, to be effect...
New York, NY
All consumer fireworks are illegal in New York City, including sparkling devices that are legal in much of New York State. NYC Fire Code Section FC 5601.3.2 ...
New York, NY
New York City has no ordinance specific to residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on private property. Landmark Preservation Commiss...
See how New York's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.