NYC Tenant Protection Cabinet
The recently established office offers information on topics such as:
- Tenant Protection Laws
- Resources, including:
- Housing Application Assistance
- Rental Assistance
- Utility/Repair Assistance
- Housing Complaints
- Eviction Prevention
- Tenant Harassment
- Tenant Resource Tools
- Housing Court
They also host a Tenant Resource Portal featuring an Eviction Prevention Tool to help renters navigate public and private resources that can stabilize their housing situation. A tenant seeking help will be taken through a series of questions and directed to the most useful resources based on their responses.
HCR Fact Sheets
The New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the state agency responsible for administering the rent regulation laws, publishes Fact Sheets that describe the major elements of rent control and rent stabilization in New York City and elsewhere in New York State.
The current version of each fact sheet is on HCR’s Fact Sheets webpage. For additional information, contact HCR.
Building Codes
- NYC Construction Codes consist of the General Administrative Provisions, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, and Energy Conservation Code, and are available at NYC Department of Buildings.
- The NYC Housing Maintenance Code, as well as other residential safety codes, including the Fire Code and the Multiple Dwelling Law, are available at NYC Department of Buildings.
- Related information on various Maintenance Requirements in residential properties can be found at NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. Topics include Gas Leaks; Heat and Hot Water; Mold, Pests, Lead-Based Paint; Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors; Window Guards; and more.
Seniors
- Learn about the NYC Rent Freeze Program for Seniors (SCRIE). If eligible, it can freeze your rent regulated rent at level you are currently paying.
- NYC offers Housing Options for Seniors with info on housing options, Home Sharing, emergency assistance, and more.
- NYC Department for the Aging offers information and assistance on various issues, including housing.
- Information for seniors living in rent regulated housing can be found in HCR Fact Sheet #21: Special Rights of Senior Citizens.
- New York Housing Search lists available housing throughout New York State for seniors and others, as well as links to a wide variety of other resources, agencies and organizations.
Disabled
- Housing resources and benefits for people with disabilities is available from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
- Learn about the NYC Rent Freeze Program for the Disabled (DRIE). Similar to SCRIE for Senior Citizens, if eligible, it can freeze your rent if you are disabled.
- Information on the special rights of the disabled living in rent regulated housing can be found in HCR Fact Sheet #20: Special Rights of Disabled Persons.
- New York Housing Search lists available housing throughout New York State for people with disabilities and others, as well as links to a wide variety of other resources, agencies and organizations.
Health & Safety
The NYC Department of Health offers information on a wide variety of topics at Healthy Indoors including:
- Lead Poisoning Prevention
- Smoking Laws & Smoke-Free Housing
- Window Guards/Window Falls Prevention
- Pesticides
- Noise
- Indoor Air Quality
The Dept. of Health also offers information at Healthy Homes on topics including:
- Asthma
- Carbon Monoxide
- Domestic Violence
- Heat Illness and Heat Waves
- Pests and Pesticide Information
- Indoor Air Quality
- Mold Prevention
- Poison Proofing
- Preventing Injuries among children and seniors
Pets
Learn about the rules and regulations of keeping pets in New York City apartments:
- NYC Pet Law: Companion Animals in NYC Apartments, New York City Bar Association
- A Tenant’s Guide to NYC’s Pet Laws: Keeping Your Pet in a NYC Apartment, MFY Legal Services
Rights and Responsibilities (Tenants & Owners)
The NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) offers The ABC’s of Housing, a comprehensive guide to housing rules and regulations for owners and tenants, as well as a Tenant Rights FAQs (near bottom of page).
Renters and landlords of residential buildings in the City have rights and responsibilities to maintain residential property. HPD enforces the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law and the New York City Housing Maintenance Code. Some of the issues covered in the guide include:
- Heat and Hot Water
- Lead-Based Paint
- Window guards
- Locks
- Pests (including Bedbugs)
- Gas Leaks
- Stove Knob Covers
- Elevators
- Illegal Basement and Cellar Occupancy
- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
- Mold
- Rent Regulation
- Foreclosure
- Housing Lotteries
- Rent Increase Exemption Programs
- Complaints, Violations and Enforcement
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Legal Assistance
- Housing Court
- Eviction
- Emergency Planning and Evacuations
- Foreclosure
- Pets
- Tenant Associations
- Rent Increases and Lease Renewals
- Certificate of Occupancy and Paying Rent
- Building Safety
The NYS Attorney General also offers information on tenants’ rights on their website (near bottom of page), including a summary of changes to the rent laws in 2019.