The binghamton good cause eviction law protects many City of Binghamton renters from eviction without a real reason. It is not old-style rent control. Under the binghamton good cause eviction law, a renewal increase above 8.15% is presumed unreasonable. That figure comes from the state notice first posted July 16, 2026. It stays in effect until the next yearly notice, due by August 1, 2027.
Is Your Unit Covered by Binghamton Good Cause Eviction Law?
The state law behind the binghamton good cause eviction law took effect on April 20, 2024. It applies in New York City automatically. However, other places must opt in. The Attorney General lists Binghamton as opted in as of April 2025. The state housing agency, DHCR, also lists the City of Binghamton in its notice first posted July 16, 2026.
In most cases, a regular apartment is covered by the binghamton good cause eviction law. However, some units are left out. For example, the small-landlord exemption in Binghamton only applies to owners with no more than one unit in New York. Your landlord also cannot hide behind an LLC. If any person behind the LLC owns more units, you are still protected.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Small landlord exemption | Owner with no more than 1 unit anywhere in New York | DHCR notice, first posted July 16, 2026 |
| High-rent exemption | Rent above 345% of HUD fair market rent for Broome County | DHCR notice, first posted July 16, 2026 |
| Owner-occupied building | Exempt if the owner lives there and it has 10 or fewer units | NY Attorney General guide |
| Newer buildings | Exempt if the certificate of occupancy was issued on or after January 1, 2009 | NY Attorney General guide |
| Other exemptions | Rent-regulated, income-restricted, condo or co-op units, and sublets | NY Attorney General guide |
The high-rent rule uses fair market rent for Broome County. The state notice lists figures for federal fiscal year 2025. They are $783 for an efficiency, $868 for one bedroom, and $1,103 for two bedrooms. Three bedrooms are $1,412, and four are $1,622. Multiply your unit’s figure by 3.45 to find the cutoff. For example, a one-bedroom renting for more than about $2,995 is not covered.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Binghamton Good Cause Eviction Law
The binghamton good cause eviction law does not set a hard cap. Instead, it uses a “local rent standard.” An increase above that standard is presumed unreasonable. The standard is 5% plus the yearly change in the Consumer Price Index. It can never go above 10%.
Broome County uses the Northeast Region inflation figure. For 2024 to 2025, that change was 3.15%, according to the DHCR notice first posted July 16, 2026. As a result, the current local rent standard is 8.15%. It stays in place until DHCR’s next yearly notice, due by August 1, 2027. For example, if your rent is $1,000, a raise above $81.50 is presumed unreasonable.
Typically, a landlord can still try to justify a bigger raise in court. The judge must look at property taxes. The judge can also weigh fuel, insurance, maintenance, and major repairs. However, cosmetic work does not count. Under the binghamton good cause eviction law, it is up to the landlord to explain the increase.
| Opted-in city | High-rent exemption (% of fair market rent) | Small landlord definition |
|---|---|---|
| City of Binghamton | 345% | No more than 1 unit in New York |
| City of Rochester | 245% | No more than 1 unit in New York |
| City of Kingston | 300% | No more than 1 unit in New York |
| Village of Catskill | 275% | No more than 1 unit in New York |
| City of White Plains | 345% | No more than 4 units in New York |
Eviction Protections in This City
Under the binghamton good cause eviction law, your landlord cannot evict you or refuse to renew just because the lease ended. They must prove a legal reason. Those reasons include unpaid rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, illegal use, or refusing reasonable access. Refusing a fair renewal offer also counts. So do an owner moving in, demolition, or taking the unit off the rental market.
These reasons have limits. For example, unpaid rent does not count if it came from an unreasonable increase. For a lease violation, your landlord must give you written notice and 10 days to fix it. For access, the landlord typically must give written notice at least a week ahead. If you are 65 or older or disabled, your landlord cannot evict you so they or a family member can move in.
The official sources do not list any relocation payment under the binghamton good cause eviction law. However, your landlord may have lied about moving in, demolishing the unit, or leaving the rental market. If you moved out because of that, you can sue for money damages. You may also get attorney’s fees if you win or settle.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
The state sources do not name a Binghamton rent board for the binghamton good cause eviction law. In most cases, the rules are enforced in court. For example, if your landlord sues you, you can raise the law as a defense. You can also report your landlord to the New York Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755. Voice or hearing-impaired callers can use 1-800-788-9898.
Gather your lease, renewal offer, rent receipts, and any notices. Keep every letter and text about repairs or access. Check that your lease includes the coverage notice required under the binghamton good cause eviction law. If you think someone else owns your building through an LLC, you can ask the court to order the landlord to hand over ownership records. This is called “discovery.” You can find the current notice on DHCR’s Good Cause Eviction page.
If you have eviction papers, call for legal help now. Many free legal services represent qualified New York tenants. You can find one through LawHelp.org. A legal-aid office or tenant attorney can explain how the binghamton good cause eviction law applies to you. The state sources do not name a city office that takes complaints, so ask the City of Binghamton.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Binghamton Good Cause Eviction Law
Does the binghamton good cause eviction law freeze my rent?
No. Under the notice first posted July 16, 2026, an increase above 8.15% is presumed unreasonable. Your landlord can ask for more, but they must justify it in court.
My landlord owns only my building. Am I still covered?
You probably are, unless your landlord owns no more than one unit anywhere in New York. However, a building with 10 or fewer units where the owner lives is exempt. The binghamton good cause eviction law also counts units owned by the real people behind an LLC.
Can my landlord just refuse to renew my lease?
If your unit is covered, not without good cause. Under the binghamton good cause eviction law, your landlord must prove one of the reasons the law allows. You may be able to use the law as a defense in court.
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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
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- 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.