Good cause eviction law in New York stops most covered landlords from evicting you just because your lease ended. A letter citing Real Property Law Article 6-A points to the good cause eviction law, which caps most rent raises at 10 percent.
What Good Cause Eviction Law Actually Says
The good cause eviction law lives in Real Property Law Article 6-A, sections 210 to 216. In plain English, it ends “no-fault” evictions for covered tenants. Your landlord must prove a real reason in court. As a result, an expired lease alone is no longer enough.
The law also limits rent hikes at renewal. A raise is generally unreasonable if it is more than 5 percent plus the yearly change in the consumer price index. However, the maximum reasonable raise is capped at 10 percent of your last rent. The landlord can still try to explain a bigger raise to the judge. For example, the court must look at property taxes. It can also look at fuel, insurance, and major repairs.
The good cause eviction law lists the only reasons a landlord can use. These include unpaid rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, and illegal use of the unit. They also include refusing access, personal use by the owner, demolition, and leaving the rental market. Refusing a reasonable renewal lease also counts.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | April 20, 2024 | RPL Art. 6-A |
| Rent increase presumed unreasonable | Above 5% plus the annual CPI change | RPL Art. 6-A |
| Hard cap on reasonable increase | 10% of the last rent | RPL Art. 6-A |
| Notice to fix a lease violation | 10 days to “cure,” in writing | RPL Art. 6-A |
| Small landlord (NYC) | Owns 10 or fewer units in New York State | RPL 211 |
| Required lease language | Starting August 18, 2024, in every lease, renewal, and notice | RPL Art. 6-A |
Who Good Cause Eviction Law Covers (and Who It Does Not)
The good cause eviction law covers New York City automatically. Other cities and villages must opt in. According to the New York Attorney General, covered places include Albany, Ithaca, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Beacon, and Newburgh. Nyack, Hudson, New Paltz, Fishkill, Catskill, Croton-on-Hudson, and Binghamton are covered too. More places may opt in later, so confirm with your city or village.
However, many homes are exempt from the good cause eviction law. You are typically not covered if your landlord is a small landlord. You are also not covered if you sublet, or if your unit is rent regulated or income restricted. Condos, co-ops, and buildings with a certificate of occupancy dated January 1, 2009 or later are exempt. So are “high rent” units above the yearly limit set by the state housing agency.
| Place | Owner-occupied building exemption | Small landlord rule |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 10 or fewer units | Owns 10 or fewer units in New York State |
| Albany | 4 units | Only if the landlord lives there and the building has fewer than 4 units |
| Other opt-in cities and villages | Confirm with your locality | Each locality may define it differently |
Watch out for LLC tricks. Say one owner of the LLC has a stake in more than 10 units. Then the LLC is not a small landlord. A landlord claiming this exemption must name every person with an ownership interest. If they cannot, they are not a small landlord.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Every landlord covered by the good cause eviction law must add required language to each lease, renewal lease, and legal notice. This rule started August 18, 2024. The language tells you whether your unit is covered. If it is not covered, the notice must explain why. In most cases, this is the first place to check.
If your landlord says you broke the lease, they must warn you in writing first. They must also have reasonable rules that you agreed to in writing. To get access to your home, they typically must give written notice at least a week ahead, unless it is an emergency.
A landlord who wants the unit for personal use needs a good-faith plan to live there as a primary home. However, they cannot evict you for this reason if you are 65 or older or disabled.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
If you get sued, you can raise the good cause eviction law as a defense in housing court. For example, you can argue a rent hike was unreasonable. You can also argue your landlord has no valid reason. If you suspect a hidden owner, you can ask the court for “discovery” to get ownership papers.
Did you move out because the landlord claimed personal use, demolition, or leaving the market? If that turned out to be a lie, you may be able to sue for money damages. You may also recover attorney’s fees if you win or settle. As a result, keep every letter, lease, and text.
You can report problems to the Attorney General’s hotline at 1-800-771-7755. The line for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers is 1-800-788-9898. If you have an active eviction case, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. The good cause eviction law only helps if you raise it in time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the good cause eviction law apply outside New York City?
Only in cities and villages that opt in. The Attorney General lists places like Albany, Rochester, Ithaca, and Binghamton. Check with your local government to confirm.
What is the exact rent increase limit this year?
The limit is 5 percent plus the yearly CPI change, capped at 10 percent. The exact local rent standard changes each year. Confirm the current figure in the state housing agency’s latest Good Cause Eviction Law Notice.
Can I be evicted for not paying an unreasonable rent increase?
Under the good cause eviction law, nonpayment is not good cause if it came from an unreasonable increase. However, a judge decides whether the increase was unreasonable. Get legal help before you stop paying anything.
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.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
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.