How Do Tenant Laws Protect New York Renters?

If you’re a New York resident and rent your apartment or home, you may wonder if there are certain laws limiting the amount rent can be increased or if there’s a set of specific conditions that give a landlord the right to evict any tenant. In fact, there are New York tenant laws that protect New York renters’ rights, restricting both the annual amount landlords are allowed to increase rent as well as specific conditions controlling the details of the renter eviction process. 

Types of Contracts 

Rental agreements include short-term contracts, which mean tenants rent spaces on a month-to-month basis. In contrast, a lease agreement is a contract usually lasting for a term of six or months or more. During the span of the lease term, rent is set — meaning it stays the same amount — until the end of the termination of the contract. This is the case in both rental and lease agreements.

Petitions and Exceptions

New York laws that govern rent costs, specifically in older properties, impose limits on how much property landlords can increase rent and enforces set rules for tenant eviction. Property owners and landlords can raise the cost of rent under a set of certain circumstances, such as an increase in taxes or cost of maintaining the building. If these situations arise, landlords and property owners can approach the New York rent control board to petition to be allowed to raise the cost of rent past the normal annual regulations. The rent control board is the ultimate decider regarding the amount the property owner may increase their rent, and will provide them with a specific amount after hearing a landlord’s case.

The rental board also deals with eviction decisions. They uphold guidelines regarding the reasons a tenant can be evicted. For instance, if a certain tenant doesn’t pay rent or fails to follow another part of the lease or rental contract, the property owner has the right to pursue eviction. Other justifications for eviction include if the tenant participates in any illegal activity or if the landlord wants to return to the property and stop leasing in the future.

New York Attorneys

A New York Lawyer can give tenants or property owners more details about New York renters’ rights and tenant laws, including in-depth explanations about situations in which a property owner has the legal right to raise rent, terminate rental and lease agreements and evict tenants. Attorneys can also provide counsel to New York residents under rental agreements about their obligations as well as assist them if they face a conflict with their landlord.

If you need legal assistance or representation in a New York rental conflict,contact us today. The experienced attorneys at Gordon & Gordon can provide you with a free case evaluation and expert counsel regarding your case.