Tenants

NEW! - Rents, Leases, and Registrations for ERAP Recipients

1) Can owners who receive ERAP assistance for a rent stabilized apartment increase the rent?

For rent stabilized units receiving ERAP, lawful rent increases are allowed to be preserved in the lease, but landlords must follow ERAP guidelines and agree to not increase the monthly rental amount above the monthly amount due at the time of application for ERAP assistance for months for which the rental assistance is received and for one year from receipt of the ERAP payment. Owners are advised by DHCR to send a letter to the tenant at the time ERAP payments begin and attach an explanatory rider at the time of the lease renewal. The rider should clarify that a lower rent is being charged pursuant to an ERAP directive and that the higher legal rent cannot be collected during the period of the ERAP rent freeze. The higher legal rent that was in the lease can be collected only when the ERAP rent freeze expires. It is unlawful for an owner to demand arrears from the tenant, in a lump sum or in any other manner, for the difference between the higher legal rent and the lower rent for the period that the ERAP rent freeze was in effect.

2) How does an owner register the rent(s) for the rent stabilized apartment on the ARRO annual apartment registration online form?

In the Legal Regulated Rent field, a rent can be entered that includes all lawful rent increases, including lease renewal, IAI, and MCI, even if they are not being collected due to the receipt of ERAP assistance. In the Other Adjustments - Other field, “ERAP” can be entered. In the Actual Payment by Tenant field, the lower rent that is actually being paid can be entered.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has been court ordered to resume accepting applications. For questions and information on how to apply, call 1-844-691-7368 or visit otda.ny.gov.

Expiration of Moratorium on Evictions

As of January 16, 2022, the Moratorium on Covid-related Residential and Commercial Evictions has expired. The Governor and Legislature are exploring pathways to assist owners and tenants. As additional information is available, we will update this page. In New York State, an eviction of a tenant is lawful only if an owner has brought a court proceeding and obtained a judgment of possession from the court.

For information on evictions and legal service providers, please visit the NY Court website at New York City Civil Court (nycourts.gov), email [email protected], call 311, or visit 
DHCR Partners - Access Housing Referrals.

Important Notices and Recently Revised Documents

• Borough Rent Offices - New Procedures. Visitors must schedule an appointment in advance. 
• Form #EL-TVC: Electronic Lease Offer: Tenant's Voluntary Consent NEW! (3/22)
• Operational Bulletin #2022-1: Electronic Lease Offering and Tenant's Voluntary Consent NEW! (3/22)
• Fact Sheet #32: Eviction (1/22)

DHCR's Partners - Access Housing Referrals

Strengthening New York State Rent Regulations - The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019

• View Presentation
• Rent Laws 2019 Updated Documents