The NYC small-landlord law survival kit (2026)

New York has rewritten the rules for renting, and the penalties for getting them wrong are real. If you own a few units, here's the plain-English survival kit for 2026. This is educational information, not legal advice — consult counsel for your situation.

1. Application fees are capped at $20 — and often must be waived

You can charge no more than $20 for a rental application, and you must waive it if the applicant provides their own background/credit check from the last 30 days. A verified renter profile fits that exemption.

2. The FARE Act moved broker fees off tenants

Since June 2025, the party who hires the broker pays the fee. If you list with a broker, that fee is generally yours — not the tenant's — and fees must be disclosed up front.

3. You can't use the tenant "blacklist"

Under RPL §227-f, you may not reject an applicant simply because they previously appeared in housing court, and you can't rely on tenant-screening blacklists built from court records. Focus on what actually predicts risk: verified, on-time payment history.

4. Fair Chance for Housing limits criminal screening

NYC restricts when and how you can consider criminal history — generally only after a conditional offer, with a narrow individualized review, and never based on arrests without conviction or sealed cases.

5. Good Cause Eviction may apply

New York's Good Cause Eviction law limits non-renewals and caps certain rent increases for covered units. Coverage has exemptions (including some small owners) — check whether your building is covered before you decline a renewal or raise the rent.

6. Security deposits and late fees

• Deposit: capped at one month's rent; return within 14 days with an itemized statement.
• Late fees: capped at the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent.

7. Required lease riders

Your lease must include the applicable disclosures and riders — lead paint, bedbug history, window guard, sprinkler notice, and the rent-stabilization rider where relevant. See our free NY lease forms and riders.

8. Rent reporting rules are coming

California already requires larger landlords to offer rent reporting (AB 2747). New York's A2729 is modeled on it but still in committee. If you offer rent reporting, keep it opt-in and positive-only, give the required notice, and cap the fee. Full breakdown here.

Stay compliant the easy way

CertRent gives small New York landlords a free, compliant NY lease with the right riders, honest verified-renter screening that respects §227-f, and rent-reporting tools built around these rules. Create a free landlord account →