New Rochelle good cause eviction protections now cover many renters, because the city opted into New York’s Good Cause Eviction Law. Under New Rochelle good cause eviction rules, a lease renewal that raises rent by more than 8.38% is presumed unreasonable under the state’s 2026 notice.
Is Your Unit Covered by New Rochelle Good Cause Eviction?
New Rochelle is on the state’s official list of places that opted in. The DHCR Good Cause Eviction Law Notice lists the “City of New Rochelle” as of May 4, 2026. That list also shows two local choices New Rochelle made. As a result, New Rochelle good cause eviction coverage is wider than the state default.
First, New Rochelle good cause eviction rules narrow the “small landlord” exemption. Here, a small landlord owns no more than one unit anywhere in New York State. So if your landlord owns two or more units, they typically cannot use that exemption. Second, the high-rent cutoff is 345% of fair market rent, not the default 245%. However, some homes are still left out. Check the table below.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Small landlord | Exempt only if the owner has no more than 1 unit anywhere in New York | DHCR notice, New Rochelle entry (as of May 4, 2026) |
| High-rent cutoff | Exempt if rent is above 345% of HUD fair market rent | DHCR notice, New Rochelle entry (as of May 4, 2026) |
| Newer buildings | Exempt if the certificate of occupancy was issued on or after January 1, 2009 | NY Attorney General guide |
| Owner-occupied | Exempt if the owner lives there and the building has 10 or fewer units | NY Attorney General guide (state default) |
| Other exemptions | Rent-regulated, income-restricted, condo or co-op units, sublets, and some employee housing | NY Attorney General guide |
For example, the DHCR notice lists Westchester’s fair market rent for a 2-bedroom as $2,910. That figure comes from HUD’s federal fiscal year 2025 data. Multiply the figure for your unit size by 3.45 to find your cutoff. Your landlord must also say in every lease and legal notice whether your unit is covered. If it isn’t, they must say why. That rule started August 18, 2024.
In most cases, those papers are the fastest way to check New Rochelle good cause eviction coverage for your address.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under New Rochelle Good Cause Eviction
New Rochelle good cause eviction does not freeze your rent. Instead, it sets a “local rent standard.” A renewal increase is presumed unreasonable if it is above the lower of two numbers. The first is 5% plus the yearly change in inflation (CPI). The second is 10%.
For Westchester County, the DHCR notice lists a 3.38% CPI change for 2024 to 2025. As a result, the New Rochelle good cause eviction standard is 5% plus 3.38%, or 8.38%. This figure comes from DHCR’s 2026 notice, first posted July 16, 2026. It stays in place until DHCR publishes its next yearly notice. That notice is due on or before August 1, 2027.
For example, 8.38% of $2,000 a month is $167.60. So a renewal offer above $2,167.60 would be presumed unreasonable. However, the landlord can still try to justify a bigger increase in court. A judge must consider property taxes. The judge may also weigh fuel, insurance, maintenance, and major repairs. The official sources show no separate New Rochelle good cause eviction cap on top of this state standard.
| Opt-in locality | High-rent cutoff | Small landlord owns no more than | CPI in 2026 notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of New Rochelle | 345% of FMR | 1 unit | 3.38% (standard 8.38%) |
| City of White Plains | 345% of FMR | 4 units | 3.38% (standard 8.38%) |
| Village of Tarrytown | 345% of FMR | 1 unit | 3.38% (standard 8.38%) |
| City of Kingston | 300% of FMR | 1 unit | 3.15% (standard 8.15%) |
| City of Rochester | 245% of FMR | 1 unit | 3.15% (standard 8.15%) |
Eviction Protections in This City
Under New Rochelle good cause eviction rules, your landlord can’t end your tenancy just because the lease ran out. They must prove a legal reason in court. Legal reasons include unpaid rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, or illegal use. However, unpaid rent does not count if it came from an unreasonable increase.
A landlord may also take back the unit for their own use or a close family member’s. They may also demolish it or take it off the rental market in good faith. However, if you are 65 or older or disabled, they cannot evict you so they or their family can move in. If they lied to get you out, you may be able to sue for damages. The official sources do not list any relocation payment for New Rochelle. Confirm that with the city.
New Rochelle good cause eviction protections also cover refusing to let the landlord in, but only if the landlord gave reasonable notice. Typically, that means written notice at least a week ahead, except in emergencies.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
New Rochelle good cause eviction is enforced mostly in court, not by a city rent board. If you get an unfair increase, you don’t have to accept it quietly. You can refuse to sign it. If your landlord then sues, you can use the law as your defense. A judge decides whether the increase is reasonable.
You can also report your landlord to the New York Attorney General. Call the hotline at 1-800-771-7755. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-800-788-9898. The official sources do not name a New Rochelle city office for complaints. So call the New Rochelle City Clerk to confirm when your local law took effect and whether there is a local contact.
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Bring your lease, renewal offer, rent receipts, and every notice from your landlord. A landlord who claims to be a small landlord must name every person with an ownership stake. If any of them owns more than one unit, New Rochelle good cause eviction protections typically still apply. If you are facing an eviction right now, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. The Attorney General’s Good Cause guide points renters to free help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Rochelle good cause eviction apply to my apartment?
It may, if your building was built before 2009 and your landlord owns more than one unit in New York. Rent-regulated, income-restricted, condo, and co-op units are exempt from New Rochelle good cause eviction. Check your lease for the required coverage statement.
What is the most my rent can go up in 2026?
Under New Rochelle good cause eviction rules, an increase above 8.38% is presumed unreasonable. That figure comes from DHCR’s 2026 notice, first posted July 16, 2026. It holds until the next notice, which is due by August 1, 2027.
When did the New Rochelle good cause eviction law take effect?
The City Council passed its opt-in law in 2025. DHCR lists New Rochelle as opted in as of May 4, 2026. Confirm the exact effective date with the New Rochelle City Clerk or NY Homes and Community Renewal.
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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.