Guides · New York
Renting & housing: guides, questions and what to do now
New York tenants have strong statutory protections: limits on deposits and late fees, a warranty of habitability that cannot be waived, and an eviction process that only a court can carry out.
Security deposits, repairs and habitability, rent increases, late fees, lease renewals, eviction notices, roommates.
What to do now
Steps in order, for when it happened today.
Common situations
What the situation means, what usually decides it, and the ways to respond.
- SituationLandlord didn't return your security deposit in New York: the 14-day rule and what to doIn New York, within 14 days after you move out, your landlord must either return your whole security deposit or give you an itemized statement…
- SituationLandlord won't make repairs in New York: the warranty of habitability and what you can doUnder Real Property Law § 235-b, every residential lease in New York, written or oral, includes a promise that your apartment and the building's…
- SituationLocked out by your landlord in New York: illegal eviction and how to get back inIn New York, a landlord can't lock you out, remove your belongings, take off your door or shut off essential services to force you out. Only a court…
How to do it
Step-by-step processes: forms, deadlines, fees and where to go.
Questions people ask
A short, straight answer to one question, with the source.
- QuestionCan you break a lease in New York? What you owe and when you can leave earlyA lease is a binding contract, so leaving early can leave you owing rent. But under Real Property Law § 227-e, your landlord must make reasonable,…
- QuestionCan you have a roommate in New York? The roommate law and your rightsYes, in most cases. Under Real Property Law § 235-f, a landlord can't limit your apartment to just the people on the lease and their immediate…
- QuestionCan your landlord enter your apartment in New York? Notice, consent and emergenciesGenerally, your landlord can't come in whenever they like. According to the New York Attorney General's guide, a landlord may enter with reasonable…
- QuestionDo you get interest on your security deposit in New York?Often, yes. Under General Obligations Law § 7-103, your security deposit stays your money, held in trust, and can't be mixed with the landlord's own…
- QuestionRent-stabilized lease renewal in NYC: your right to renew, timelines and allowed increasesIf your New York City apartment is rent-stabilized, you generally have the right to renew your lease for one or two years, your choice, on the same…
The official sources on this topic
Every page here rests on statutes, regulations and government sites. These are the ones that come up most on this topic:
- N.Y. Real Property Law(opens in a new tab)
- N.Y. Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law(opens in a new tab)
- Residential Tenants' Rights Guide(opens in a new tab)
- Tenants' Rights and Responsibilities(opens in a new tab)
- N.Y. General Obligations Law(opens in a new tab)
- Legal Services for Tenants Facing Eviction — NYC's Right-to-Counsel Law(opens in a new tab)
Next step
The guides explain the rules. When you need an answer about your own situation, describe what happened and get a free first answer; the full check confirms every legal point against its source.
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