Is My Apartment Rent Stabilized?

How This Quiz Works

This rent stabilization quiz walks you through a series of questions to determine whether your apartment may be covered by New York's rent stabilization laws. The decision logic is based on the following factors:

Step 1: Location

Rent stabilization applies in New York City (all five boroughs) and in certain suburban municipalities that have adopted the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA): Nassau County, Westchester County, Rockland County, the City of Kingston (Ulster County), and the City of Poughkeepsie. Other New York locations are generally not covered.

Step 2: Building Size

In New York City, buildings with 6 or more residential units built before January 1, 1974 are covered. Buildings with 3 to 5 units may be covered if they receive 421-a or J-51 tax benefits. Buildings with 1 to 2 units are generally not covered. In ETPA areas, the threshold is 6 or more units built before 1974.

Step 3: Tax Benefit Programs

Buildings receiving 421-a or J-51 tax benefits are rent stabilized during the benefit period regardless of building age or size. If the landlord included an expiration notice in every lease, stabilization may end when benefits expire. If the notice was missing, tenants may retain permanent rent stabilization rights.

Step 4: Ownership Type

Regular rental buildings follow standard stabilization rules. Co-op shareholders and condo owners are not covered. Tenants renting from co-op shareholders, and Mitchell-Lama or HDFC residents, have complex situations that require individual analysis.

Step 5: Exemptions

Public housing (NYCHA) has separate regulations. Owner-occupied buildings, superintendent apartments, and hotel/SRO units may have different rules that require individual analysis.

Step 6: Lease and Verification

If your lease includes a rent stabilization lease rider from DHCR, your apartment is likely stabilized. If your lease says the apartment is not stabilized, or if stabilization is not mentioned, verification through DHCR rent history records is recommended. You can request your rent history at rent.hcr.ny.gov or by calling 833-499-0343.

Possible Outcomes

• Likely rent stabilized: Your apartment appears to meet the criteria. You have the right to a renewal lease, rent increases limited to RGB guidelines, and protection from arbitrary eviction.
• Verification needed: Your building characteristics suggest possible stabilization, but confirmation through DHCR rent history is required.
• Stabilized during tax benefit period: Your apartment is covered while the building receives 421-a or J-51 benefits. Expiration rules depend on whether proper notices were given.
• May have permanent rights: If required tax benefit notices were missing from your leases, you may retain stabilization rights even after benefits expire.
• Likely not stabilized: Your apartment does not appear to meet standard criteria, but you still have basic tenant protections under New York law including security deposit limits, notice requirements for rent increases over 5%, and protection from illegal eviction.
• Requires individual analysis: Your housing situation involves factors that need careful legal review, such as co-op tenancy, Mitchell-Lama, HDFC, owner-occupied buildings, or building employee status.