Lease Renewal and Rent Increase Notices in New York: What Renters Should Know

By Ankush Das, founder and CEO of Snestico · Published

How much notice a NY landlord must give for a rent increase or non-renewal, how Good Cause and rent stabilization affect renewals, and how to respond.

In New York, a landlord who plans to raise your rent by 5% or more, or not renew your lease, must tell you in writing 30, 60 or 90 days ahead, depending on how long you've lived there. If the notice comes late, your current terms keep running until the notice period is up. Rent-stabilized tenants must get a renewal offer 90 to 150 days before the lease ends.

For most renters, the lease renewal is the one moment each year when the rent can go up, the terms can change, or the landlord can decide not to keep you. A letter or email arrives, often with a new number and a short deadline, and it's easy to sign without thinking or to panic.

New York has clear rules about how and when that conversation has to happen. This guide walks through the notice you're owed, how Good Cause Eviction and rent stabilization change things, and what to check before you sign a renewal.

The notice rules below come from New York State law and apply to residential rentals across the state. Good Cause Eviction applies in New York City and in other places that opt in, with exemptions. Rent stabilization covers specific apartments only. If you rent outside New York, check your lease and your state's rules, which can be very different.

Under New York Real Property Law § 226-c , a landlord must give you written notice if they intend to raise your rent by 5% or more , or if they don't plan to renew your tenancy. How much notice depends on how long you've lived there or how long your lease is:

The notice periods count back from the end of your lease. If you've lived in your apartment for three years and your lease ends December 31, a landlord who wants a 7% increase has to tell you in writing by early October.

If the landlord doesn't give the notice on time, the law says your tenancy continues under the existing terms , including the current rent, until the required notice period has passed from the date notice is finally given. In practice, a late notice pushes back the start of the higher rent. It doesn't cancel the increase forever.

Section 226-c also requires the notice to say whether your unit is covered by New York's Good Cause Eviction law, and if it's exempt, why. If you get a renewal or non-renewal notice that doesn't mention it, that's worth asking about.

If your apartment is covered, Good Cause Eviction doesn't set a hard cap, but it makes large increases hard for a landlord to enforce. According to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) , the law sets a "local rent standard" of inflation plus 5%, and never more than 10%. An increase above that standard is presumed unreasonable. If the landlord tries to evict you for not paying it, the landlord has to convince a court the increase is justified, for example by rising costs.

Good Cause also means a covered tenant generally can't be evicted or refused a renewal without a "good cause" reason allowed by the law, like not paying lawful rent or the owner moving in.

The exact local rent standard is updated each year from inflation data, so check HPD's page or the state's housing agency for the current figure before you push back on an increase.

Rent-stabilized tenants have a right to renew. The state's housing agency explains the process in DHCR Fact Sheet #4 (PDF) :

For New York City leases starting between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, the Rent Guidelines Board's Order #57 allows increases of 3% for a one-year lease and 4.5% for a two-year lease . A later order covers leases starting after that, so check the RGB site for the one that applies to your renewal date.

My landlord texted me the new rent. Does that count?

Section 226-c calls for written notice. Save every text and email either way, and ask for the renewal terms in a proper written offer you can review before signing.

The increase is 4%. Do I get any notice?

The 226-c notice rule kicks in at 5% or more. A smaller increase can still only take effect when your lease allows it, usually at renewal, so read your lease terms.

How do I know if my apartment is rent-stabilized?

You can request your apartment's rent history from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). Your lease may also include a rent stabilization rider.

A renewal is a new contract, even if it looks like a copy of the old one. Before you sign, compare it line by line with your current lease:

If anything is unclear, our lease review guide explains common lease clauses in plain English, and the first-time renter guide covers the basics if this is your first renewal.

You have more options than "sign" or "leave":

If you disagree with an increase, keep paying your current, lawful rent while you sort it out, and keep records. Withholding rent without advice can put you at risk of an eviction case. Talk to a tenant lawyer or tenant organization before you take that step.

In New York, a rent increase of 5% or more, or a non-renewal, needs written notice 30, 60 or 90 days ahead, based on how long you've been there. Late notice means your current terms keep running longer. Good Cause Eviction makes increases above the local rent standard presumptively unreasonable for covered apartments, and rent-stabilized tenants get a renewal offer 90 to 150 days out with 60 days to respond. Read every renewal like a new lease before you sign.

Upload your renewal or new lease to Snestico's Lease Checker to spot key terms, red flags and state rules, or search other homes and rooms in New York.

Sources

How this was made: drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed and edited by Ankush Das, who checks every fact against the sources listed before it is published or updated.