Rent Stabilized, Rent Controlled or Existing Lease

If your building contains 6 or more dwelling units it is probably subject to the Rent Stabilization Code. In the case of very long term tenants, apartments may also be subject to Rent Control.

If you are not familiar with Rent Stabilization or Rent Control, the first step is to log on to the following page at the Department of Housing & Community Renewal (DHCR):

About Office of Rent Administration Operations and Services

This page will give you a preliminary look at what rent regulation is and how it affects your property.

Very generally, rent regulatory statutes, administrative and health codes, and myriad other rules and regulations govern the maximum amount of rent you can charge and the grounds upon which you may evict a tenant. They also dictate which family members must be added to a lease and which can inherit your apartment upon the death of the tenant of record. In fact, just about every aspect of the management and profitability of your building is covered by local or state statutes. You should take the time to get acquainted with the basics. After that, feel free to ask questions.