Rent Stabilization & Disputes in NY
RENT STABILIZATION LAWS
Rent stabilization caps rent increases and protects tenants from unfair evictions in about 1 million NYC apartments, mostly in pre-1974 buildings with six or more units, like those in Park Slope or Astoria. These laws aim to keep housing affordable but often spark disputes over rent hikes, evictions, or lease terms.
2025 LANDSCAPE (NY)
The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) reshaped rent stabilization, with key rules in 2025:
Rent Increase Caps: The Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) sets annual limits, typically 2-5%.
No Deregulation: Stabilized units stay stabilized, unlike pre-2019, when high rents could deregulate a Chelsea unit.
Eviction Protections: Tenants get guaranteed lease renewals (1- or 2-year terms) and can’t be evicted without cause, like non-payment or lease violations.
Major Capital Improvements (MCIs): Landlords can raise rents for upgrades, capped at 2% annually.
COMMON DISPUTES
Disputes often arise from:
Non-Payment: Tenants in a Bed-Stuy apartment stop paying rent, claiming overcharges, leading to housing court battles.
Illegal Subletting: A tenant in a Lower East Side unit sublets without permission, delaying eviction.
Holdover Occupants: A relative in a Murray Hill apartment refuses to leave after the leaseholder moves, claiming tenant rights.
MCI Challenges: Tenants in a Flatiron building dispute a rent hike for renovations, arguing the work wasn’t essential.
These cases clog NYC housing courts, with 2024 data showing over 100,000 eviction filings annually. Contact our attorneys for help navigating these disputes.
COMPARISON
Unlike New York, Florida has no rent stabilization laws, so landlords in Miami or Tampa can raise rents freely. Florida’s eviction process is faster—often 30-60 days versus NY’s 6-12 months for a Brooklyn non-payment case—but tenants lack NY’s protections.
Florida’s 2024 squatter law (HB 621) also allows quicker removal of unauthorized occupants, unlike New York’s complex process. Consult our attorneys for state-specific guidance.
WHY THE TENSION?
NYC’s vacancy rate makes stabilized apartments critical for tenants but frustrates landlords, who face low rent caps and maintenance costs. No major 2025 reforms are expected, keeping disputes high.
NYC’s rent stabilization laws can complicate landlord-tenant issues. Facing non-payment, subletting, or MCI disputes? Contact us to review your matters.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Consult our qualified attorneys or a tax professional for your specific needs.
