Free New York City Rent Increase Notice
NYC rent increase notice for unregulated apartments under HSTPA 2019 (RPL § 226-c). Tiered 30 / 60 / 90-day notice required for any increase of 5%+. Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49) may also apply.
Under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA), codified at NY Real Property Law § 226-c, NYC landlords of unregulated (market-rate) apartments must provide written notice for any rent increase of 5% or more. The required notice period scales with tenancy length: 30 days (tenant of less than 1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), or 90 days (2+ years). The same tiered rule applies to non-renewal of leases. NYC’s Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49 of 2024) adds further protections for covered tenants, requiring landlords to disclose coverage status in rent increase notices and limiting unreasonable increases.
New York City Rent Increase at a Glance
Statute
RPL § 226-c
Notice Period
30 / 60 / 90 Days
Trigger
5%+ Increase
Good Cause Eviction
May Apply
⚠ HSTPA Notice Rule (RPL § 226-c)
If the rent increase is 5% or more, RPL § 226-c requires written notice: 30 days if the tenant has lived in the unit less than 1 year; 60 days if 1-2 years; 90 days if 2+ years. Insufficient notice means the tenant can stay at the old rent until the proper notice period elapses. NYC’s Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49 of 2024) also requires coverage disclosure on rent increase notices.
How to Serve the New York City Rent Increase Notice
Determine the required notice period
Determine the tenant’s length of occupancy as of the effective date. Less than 1 year requires 30 days’ notice; 1-2 years requires 60 days; 2+ years requires 90 days. Use the maximum applicable period.
Calculate the increase
Calculate the percentage increase. If under 5%, HSTPA’s 30/60/90-day rule does not apply (but local rules and lease provisions still apply). For 5%+ increases, plan service date so the tenant receives full notice.
Prepare the written notice
Prepare the written notice. State the parties, property, current rent, new rent, increase amount and percentage, effective date, and Good Cause Eviction Law coverage statement (Local Law 49).
Serve the notice
Serve by personal delivery, certified mail with return receipt, or other permitted method. Retain proof of service.
Document and follow up
If tenant disputes coverage or the increase exceeds Good Cause Eviction Law caps for covered tenants, address before the effective date. Acceptance of new rent is generally deemed acceptance.
Generate the New York City Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a New York City rent increase notice. The new rent and effective date must give the tenant the full statutory notice period. Service should comply with NY law (personal service, certified mail, or substituted service); retain proof of service.
ℹ HSTPA 30/60/90-day tiered notice rule
RPL § 226-c applies to increases of 5% or more. Notice period = 30 days (tenant <1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), 90 days (2+ years). For increases under 5%, the lease’s notice provisions apply (typically 30 days). For Good Cause Eviction Law covered tenants, additional limits may apply.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Rent Change Details
3. Notice Details
4. Signature
About This New York City Notice
Under New York’s Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA), codified at RPL § 226-c, landlords of unregulated (market-rate) apartments must provide written notice for rent increases of 5% or more, or for non-renewals. The notice period scales with tenancy length: 30 days (tenant of less than 1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), or 90 days (2+ years). Insufficient notice means the tenant can remain at the old rent until the proper notice period elapses. NYC’s Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49 of 2024) adds further protections for covered tenants, requiring landlords to disclose coverage status in rent-increase notices and limiting unreasonable increases for covered units. Best practice: use the maximum applicable notice period, state the increase clearly, include the GCEL coverage statement, serve by certified mail with return receipt, and retain proof of service.
New York City Statutory Requirements
- Statute: NY Real Property Law § 226-c (HSTPA 2019)
- Trigger: rent increase of 5% or more, OR non-renewal of lease
- Notice periods: 30 days (tenant <1 year), 60 days (1-2 years), 90 days (2+ years)
- Written form required
- Must state property, current rent, new rent, effective date
- Good Cause Eviction Law coverage disclosure (NYC Local Law 49 of 2024)
- Signed by landlord or authorized agent
- Insufficient notice = tenant stays at old rent
Service Methods Permitted
- Personal delivery to tenant
- Certified mail with return receipt — recommended; provides proof
- First-class U.S. Mail — permitted
- Substituted service — with an adult at the premises
- Retain proof of service — affidavit or return receipt
Common Mistakes
- Wrong notice period for tenancy length
- Counting from service rather than receipt — use the maximum period to be safe
- Missing Good Cause Eviction Law coverage statement (Local Law 49)
- Not retaining proof of service
- Vague effective date instead of specific calendar date
- Treating <5% increases as exempt from all notice — lease provisions still apply
Best Practices
- Use the maximum applicable notice period when in doubt about tenancy length
- State current rent, new rent, increase amount, and percentage clearly
- State Good Cause Eviction Law coverage status for the unit (Local Law 49)
- Use certified mail with return receipt — best proof of service
- State specific calendar effective date
- Retain proof of service — required for any later eviction
- Apply increases consistently — avoid retaliation claims
Bottom line
NYC unregulated rent increases of 5%+ require 30/60/90-day notice based on tenancy length (RPL § 226-c). Use the maximum applicable period. Disclose Good Cause Eviction Law coverage status (Local Law 49). Serve by certified mail with return receipt and retain proof. Insufficient notice = tenant stays at old rent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice does NYC require for a rent increase?
Under RPL § 226-c (HSTPA 2019), for unregulated NYC apartments and increases of 5% or more: 30 days’ notice if the tenant has lived in the unit less than 1 year; 60 days if 1-2 years; 90 days if 2+ years. The same rule applies to non-renewals.
Is there a cap on rent increases in NYC?
For unregulated (market-rate) NYC apartments, HSTPA does not cap the amount of the increase — only the notice period. However, NYC’s Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49 of 2024) may limit unreasonable increases for covered tenants and requires coverage disclosure. Rent-stabilized apartments are capped at NYC Rent Guidelines Board percentages — for 2025-2026 (RGB Order #57), the caps are 3% (1-year renewal) and 4.5% (2-year renewal).
What is the Good Cause Eviction Law?
NYC’s Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law 49 of 2024) extends protections to many unregulated tenants by requiring landlords to demonstrate good cause for non-renewal and limiting unreasonable rent increases (presumptively 10% or 5% + CPI, whichever is greater). Landlords must disclose coverage status on leases, renewals, and rent-increase notices. Exemptions exist for owner-occupied small buildings and certain other categories.
What happens if I miss the notice period?
Insufficient notice means the tenant can remain at the old rent until the proper notice period elapses. The new rent is not legally effective until full notice has been given. Best practice: use the maximum applicable notice period when in doubt about tenancy length.
Does this apply to rent-stabilized apartments?
No. This notice is for unregulated (market-rate) NYC apartments. Rent-stabilized apartments use the separate Rent Guidelines Board renewal lease offer process — see our NYC Rent-Stabilized Rent Increase Notice page.
Can a tenant refuse the increase?
The tenant can decline to renew at the new rent by giving notice to vacate before the effective date (subject to the lease’s termination provisions). Good Cause Eviction Law-covered tenants may challenge increases that exceed reasonable thresholds. Retaliatory increases are prohibited.
Screen New York City tenants thoroughly before move-in
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