Owner guide
Legal Checks Before You List Your NYC Apartment
Three questions to answer before marketing: is the unit regulated, which Good Cause exemption applies, and which notices go with the lease.
1. Is the apartment rent-stabilized?
Most condo and co-op apartments rented by their owners are not rent-stabilized, but some are, for example in buildings converted under a non-eviction plan where a regulated tenant stayed, or in other situations linked to the building’s history. As the owner of record, you can request the apartment’s rent registration history from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. If there is any doubt, check before setting the rent.
2. Good Cause Eviction: exemption and notice
New York’s Good Cause Eviction law, in effect since April 20, 2024, gives covered tenants a right to renewal and limits rent increases. Several exemptions exist; they include units in buildings owned as a condominium or cooperative, and small landlords who own no more than ten units. Even when an exemption applies, the law requires the landlord to give the official Good Cause Eviction notice with each new lease and renewal, stating the exemption. Proposals to narrow the condo and co-op exemption have been introduced; check the current rules.
3. Notices and riders that usually go with a NYC lease
Depending on the building, a New York City lease is typically accompanied by:
- lead-based paint and window guard notices;
- the building’s bedbug infestation history filing;
- the sprinkler system disclosure, in bold;
- indoor allergen hazard information;
- stove knob cover and carbon monoxide detector information;
- the Good Cause Eviction notice and, when the tenant pays any fee, the fee disclosure.
The managing agent often provides the building-specific forms. Leases and riders should be prepared or reviewed by an attorney or with the brokerage’s standard documents.
4. Disclosure forms at first contact
New York requires agents to give landlords and tenants an agency disclosure form and the Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form at first substantive contact. Raphael will provide them when you start working together.
This guide explains common steps for owners. It is not legal or tax advice; for a decision about your lease, your building documents or your taxes, consult an attorney or tax professional.
Sources
- NYS Homes and Community Renewal — Records access (rent history)
- New York State Attorney General — Good Cause Eviction Law
- NYC HPD — Good Cause Eviction
- NY Real Property Law § 214 (Good Cause exemptions)
- NYC HPD — Required signage and notices
- NY Real Property Law § 231-A (sprinkler disclosure)
- NYS Department of State — Disclosure form for landlord and tenant
- NYS Department of State — Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form (DOS-2156)
Checked 2026-11-09. Rules change: confirm the current version before relying on them.