Good Cause Eviction - NYC Coverage and Local Opt-In

Geographic Rule

Good Cause Eviction is mandatory in New York City. Outside New York City, it applies only in a city, town, or village that has adopted it under the State law. It is therefore inaccurate to describe every New York market-rate tenancy as covered “statewide.” HCR publishes a current notice and municipality information that must be checked for the property's location.

Rent-Increase Standard

HCR states that an annual increase above 10% or 5% plus the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, is presumptively unreasonable for a covered tenancy. This is a rebuttable legal standard, not a general pricing target for exempt units. Use the current HCR notice and counsel because the calculation, local standard, coverage, and litigation posture are fact-specific.

Coverage and Notice Workflow

Do not determine coverage from an article summary. Before a renewal, non-renewal, rent increase, notice, or proceeding:

1. confirm the municipality and whether it has adopted Good Cause;
2. confirm the unit, building, owner, rent, construction, and regulatory facts needed for the current exemptions;
3. use the current HCR Good Cause notice;
4. comply with the Good Cause information required by RPL §§226-c and 231-c; and
5. have counsel confirm coverage, any exemption, the lawful basis for non-renewal or eviction, the rent-increase justification, and service.

The notice must identify whether the unit is covered or exempt and, if exempt, state the applicable reason. A database flag or owner assumption is not a legal determination.

Operating Record

Maintain the lease, renewal history, notices, rent history, ownership and building facts, exemption support, repair and access records, payment history, and relevant tenant communications. Documentation helps counsel evaluate a proposed action; it does not create a lawful ground where one does not exist.

How Botway Handles This

Botway may store owner-supplied records and surface dates supplied by the lease or counsel. It does not decide Good Cause coverage or exemptions, set the legal rent standard, choose a ground, draft a legal notice, or recommend an eviction. Those actions require qualified New York landlord-tenant counsel.

Verified Sources

• New York HCR, Good Cause Eviction - fetched and read 2026-08-07.
• New York HCR, Good Cause Eviction Law Notice - fetched and read 2026-08-07; use the newest notice linked by HCR for an actual transaction.
• New York Senate, Real Property Law §226-c - fetched and read 2026-08-07.

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This article provides general educational information only and is not legal advice. Current HCR materials and counsel must be used for a unit-specific decision.