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Rent-stabilized lease renewals & rent increases

One of the biggest benefits of a rent-stabilized apartment is predictable renewals. Here is how the renewal and increase process works.

The renewal offer

Between 90 and 150 days before your lease ends, your landlord must offer you a renewal on an official DHCR renewal-lease form, giving you a choice of a 1-year or 2-year term. You then have 60 days to return it. The apartment's services and terms stay the same — only the rent changes, and only by the allowed amount.

How the increase is set

The NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) votes each June on the maximum percentage increase for 1-year and 2-year renewal leases that begin on or after October 1 of that year. The 2-year figure is higher than the 1-year figure because it locks the rate for longer. Because the numbers change annually, always confirm the current year's order at the Rent Guidelines Board rather than assuming.

1-year vs. 2-year: which should you choose?

2-year gives you a higher increase now but locks your rent for two years — good when you expect increases to keep rising and you plan to stay.
1-year costs less this year but you renew again in twelve months at whatever the next RGB order is.

What a landlord cannot do

They cannot raise your rent above the RGB percentage on renewal.
They cannot refuse to renew in order to charge a market rent.
They cannot cut services or skip repairs to pressure you out.

The 2019 HSTPA law also sharply limited the increases landlords can pass along after apartment renovations, closing loopholes that used to push rents up quickly. See what rent stabilization is for the bigger picture, or your full tenant rights.

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Official sources

Find A Crib is an informational tool, not a law firm. This guide is general information about NYC rent stabilization, not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact DHCR or a tenant attorney/legal-aid group.