New York Landlord-Tenant Laws
If you rent out property in New York, these are the rules you need to follow. This page covers the landlord-tenant statutes that come up most often: security deposits, late fees, eviction notice periods, and notice to enter. This is informational only — not legal advice. When in doubt, consult a New York landlord-tenant attorney.
| Security deposit cap | 1 month (HSTPA 2019) |
| Deposit return deadline | 14 days |
| Late fee limit | $50 or 5%, whichever is lower |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 14-day demand for rent |
| Notice to enter | Reasonable notice (no statute) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (varies by tenancy length) |
| Rent control | NYC rent stabilization for many pre-1974 buildings |
Key Rules at a Glance
- IMPORTANTSecurity deposit capped at 1 month rent statewide (HSTPA 2019)
- IMPORTANTLate fees capped at $50 or 5% of rent (whichever is lower)
- IMPORTANTNYC rent stabilization applies to many pre-1974 buildings — check DHCR
- NOTEMust return deposit within 14 days with itemized deductions
- IMPORTANTGood cause eviction protections apply in many jurisdictions
Security Deposits in New York
New York caps security deposits at 1 month (HSTPA 2019). After move-out, landlords must return the deposit (with itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond ordinary wear and tear) within 14 days. Missing this deadline can expose you to penalties — in many states, the tenant can recover up to 2-3x the wrongfully withheld amount in court.
Best practice:document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out, keep all repair receipts, and send the itemized statement by certified mail.
Late Fees & Grace Periods
The New York late fee limit is $50 or 5%, whichever is lower. Late fees should always be specified in the written lease — charging a fee that isn't in the lease is unenforceable in most jurisdictions. Many landlords offer a 3-5 day grace period before the late fee triggers.
Eviction & Notice Periods
For non-payment of rent in New York, the standard pay-or-quit notice is 14-day demand for rent. To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, give 30 days (varies by tenancy length) notice. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal in every state — you must go through the court process.
Notice to Enter the Property
New York requires Reasonable notice (no statute) before a landlord enters an occupied rental for non-emergency reasons (repairs, showings, inspections). Emergencies (fire, gas leak, flooding) are an exception. Best practice: put the notice in writing — text or email is fine in most states.
Rent Control in New York
NYC rent stabilization for many pre-1974 buildings.
What Goes In a New York Lease
A solid New York lease should specify: monthly rent and due date, late fees and grace period, security deposit amount and return terms, lease length, who pays which utilities, pet policy and any pet deposit, parking arrangements, smoking rules, sublet policy, and any state-required disclosures (lead paint for pre-1978 units, mold disclosure where required).
PropertyNinja's lease generator includes New York-specific fields and supports e-signatures, so you can send a finalized lease to a tenant in under 5 minutes.
Disclaimer
This page is a quick reference for New York landlord-tenant law as of 2026. State laws change — always verify against current statutes (and any local ordinances) before taking action. PropertyNinja is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.