Good cause eviction rochester protections apply because the City of Rochester opted in to New York’s Good Cause Eviction Law. Good cause eviction rochester rules are not traditional rent control. Still, they limit evictions and rent hikes. Under DHCR’s notice first posted July 16, 2026, an increase above 8.15% is presumed unreasonable.
Is Your Unit Covered by Good Cause Eviction Rochester?
The New York Attorney General’s guide lists Rochester as covered as of April 2025. The state law took effect on April 20, 2024. As a result, most landlords covered by good cause eviction rochester rules cannot evict you just because your lease ended.
However, not every unit is covered. In Rochester, a “small landlord” owns no more than one unit anywhere in New York. That definition is much narrower than New York City’s. In most cases, your landlord owns more than one unit. That means good cause eviction rochester protections likely apply to you.
Other exemptions still apply. For example, buildings with a certificate of occupancy dated on or after January 1, 2009 are exempt. So are rent-regulated units, income-restricted units, condos, co-ops, and sublets. Owner-occupied buildings with 10 or fewer units are also exempt. Finally, “high rent” units are left out. Rochester sets that line at 245% of fair market rent.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Small landlord (exempt) | Owns no more than 1 unit anywhere in New York | DHCR 2026 notice, City of Rochester entry |
| High-rent cutoff | 245% of fair market rent. Monroe County: $2,734 studio, $3,077 one-bedroom, $3,854 two-bedroom, $4,643 three-bedroom, $5,103 four-bedroom | DHCR 2026 notice (HUD fiscal year 2025 rents) |
| Newer buildings | Exempt if certificate of occupancy issued on or after January 1, 2009 | NY Attorney General guide |
| Owner-occupied | Exempt if the owner lives there and it has 10 or fewer units | NY Attorney General guide |
| LLC owners | Not “small” if any person behind the LLC owns more than 10 units | NY Attorney General guide |
Rochester’s high-rent line is lower than in many other opt-in cities. The table below compares a few, using DHCR’s 2026 list.
| City | High-rent exemption | Small landlord means |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 245% of fair market rent | No more than 1 unit in NY |
| Catskill (village) | 275% of fair market rent | No more than 1 unit in NY |
| Kingston | 300% of fair market rent | No more than 1 unit in NY |
| Albany | 345% of fair market rent | No more than 1 unit in NY |
| White Plains | 345% of fair market rent | No more than 4 units in NY |
Want to check your own unit? Since August 18, 2024, your lease, renewal, and legal notices must say whether your unit is covered. If it is not covered, they must say why.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Good Cause Eviction Rochester
Under good cause eviction rochester rules, there is a set limit. An increase above 5% plus the yearly change in the Consumer Price Index is presumed unreasonable. The limit can never go above 10%. Rochester is in Monroe County, which uses the Northeast Region CPI.
The DHCR Good Cause Eviction page links to the August 2026 notice. It lists the Northeast CPI change from 2024 to 2025 as 3.15%. So the good cause eviction rochester local rent standard is 8.15%. DHCR first posted that notice on July 16, 2026. It stays current until the next notice, which is due by August 1 each year.
For example, on $1,200 rent, 8.15% is $97.80. An increase above that is presumed unreasonable. However, a landlord can ask a court to allow more. The court must look at property taxes. It can also weigh fuel, maintenance, insurance, and major repairs. Typically, cosmetic work does not count. The state sources do not describe any automatic pass-throughs or rent banking.
Renewal timing matters too. Your landlord must offer a renewal 30, 60, or 90 days before your lease ends. The exact window depends on how long you have lived there. A renewal with an unreasonable increase is not a fair offer.
Eviction Protections in This City
Under good cause eviction rochester protections, your landlord must prove a legal reason to evict you. Reasons include unpaid rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, or illegal use. They also include refusing reasonable access or refusing a fair renewal. However, unpaid rent does not count if it came from an unreasonable increase.
No-fault evictions are limited. A landlord may take the unit back to live there or for close family. They must mean it, and no other suitable vacant unit can exist. However, if you are 65 or older or disabled, this reason cannot be used against you. Demolition or leaving the rental market requires a good-faith plan.
The state sources list no relocation payment under good cause eviction rochester rules. Confirm any local payment with the City of Rochester. If a landlord lied to force you out, you can sue for money damages and attorney’s fees.
What to Do If Good Cause Eviction Rochester Rules Are Broken
First, put everything in writing. Save your lease, renewal offer, rent receipts, and every notice. Write down dates and what your landlord said. As a result, you will have proof if you end up in court.
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Next, report the landlord. The New York Attorney General takes questions and reports about this law at 1-800-771-7755. The hearing-impaired line is 1-800-788-9898. The state sources do not name a separate Rochester rent board. Check with the City of Rochester about any local office.
In most cases, good cause eviction rochester rights work as a defense in housing court. You raise them after your landlord files a case. If your landlord claims to be a small landlord, you can ask the court for ownership records. Court moves fast, so get help early. Contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney. LawHelp.org lists free providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does good cause eviction rochester cover my apartment?
Many Rochester renters are covered. You may not be if your building’s certificate of occupancy is dated on or after January 1, 2009. You may also be exempt if your rent is above 245% of fair market rent.
What is the rent increase limit right now?
Under good cause eviction rochester rules, the 2026 local rent standard is 8.15%. It is 5% plus the 3.15% Northeast CPI in DHCR’s notice first posted July 16, 2026. The limit never goes above 10%.
Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease?
Only for a reason the law allows. Typically, an expired lease alone is not enough. Check with your court or a local legal-aid office if you get a non-renewal notice.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New York Renter Guides
- New York Eviction Process
- New York Tenant Rights
- New York Security Deposit Law
- New York Rent Increase Laws
- New York Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New York
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.