Rent stabilization protects renters in addition to limiting the amount of rent increases. Tenants have the right to obtain essential services, have their leases renewed, and cannot be removed unless for legal reasons. Leases may be renewed for one or two years, at the tenant’s discretion.
Even though a building may have rent-stabilized apartments, not all of the apartments there must be. If you want to know if your apartment is rent stabilized, you should get in touch with NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the organization responsible for enforcing the rental rules.
The Rent Stabilization “Lease Rider” is expected to be included in your lease by your landlord if the unit is really stabilized. The rider provides the previous rent for the unit as well as the explanations for the rent increase. It also informs you of your rights and obligations as a rent-stabilized tenant. If your landlord failed to provide the Rider, you can get in touch with HCR and lodge a complaint.
Curious on how to register your building’s rent stabilized apartments? See a detailed breakdown here.
