Good Cause Eviction
The "Good Cause" Shield: Stop Illegal Rent Hikes Dead in Their Tracks. 💪
The New York Good Cause Eviction Law took effect on April 20, 2024, and created important new protections for many market-rate tenants in New York City.
Under the law, covered landlords generally cannot refuse to renew a lease or evict a tenant without a legally recognized “good cause.” Examples include nonpayment of rent, substantial lease violations, nuisance behavior, illegal use of the apartment, owner occupancy, or plans to remove the apartment from the housing market.
The law also limits excessive rent increases. Rent increases above 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or 10% of the current rent (whichever is lower), are presumed unreasonable. If a landlord attempts to evict a tenant based on nonpayment after imposing such an increase, the landlord may be required to prove in court that the increase was justified.
However, Good Cause Eviction protections unfortunately do not apply to every apartment. Important exemptions include:
Small landlords owning 10 units or fewer statewide,
Owner-occupied buildings with 10 or fewer units,
Condominiums and cooperatives,
Rent-stabilized and rent-controlled apartments,
Many subsidized housing programs,
Apartments built after January 1, 2009,
And some high-rent apartments.
Landlords are required to provide statutory notices advising tenants whether a unit is covered by or exempt from Good Cause protections. A tenant cannot waive their rights under the law.
