Good Cause Eviction Protection: What NYC Tenants Need to Know

TL;DR: Good Cause Eviction laws protect tenants from arbitrary evictions and excessive rent increases. NYC's version covers most unregulated apartments, limits rent increases to 3% or CPI+3%, and requires landlords to prove "good cause" for eviction. Know your rights and coverage.

What Is Good Cause Eviction Protection?

Good Cause Eviction laws require landlords to have a valid legal reason ("good cause") to evict tenants or raise rent beyond specific limits, extending rent stabilization-like protections to unregulated apartments.

Key Protection Elements:

Just cause requirement for eviction
Rent increase limits (typically 3% or inflation-based)
Lease renewal rights for compliant tenants
Anti-retaliation protections
Due process requirements

Current Status in NYC:

Statewide law: Passed in 2024, covers many NYC units
Local variations: Some areas have additional protections
Implementation: Phased rollout with specific coverage rules

Who Is Covered Under Good Cause Eviction?

Apartments Covered:

✅ Unregulated market-rate apartments (most common)
✅ Buildings with 4+ units (in most jurisdictions)
✅ Tenants after initial lease term (usually 1 year)
✅ Month-to-month tenancies

Apartments NOT Covered:

❌ Rent-stabilized units (already have similar protections)
❌ Rent-controlled units (existing strong protections)
❌ Owner-occupied buildings with fewer than 4 units
❌ Cooperative and condominium units
❌ Single-family homes (varies by jurisdiction)
❌ Buildings constructed within last 30 years (some areas)

Tenant Eligibility:

Must have completed initial lease term (typically 12 months)
Cannot be in violation of substantial lease terms
Must be in legal possession of apartment
Protection begins after tenancy establishment period

Rent Increase Limits Under Good Cause

Standard Increase Limits:

3% annually, OR
Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 3%, whichever is higher
Based on 12-month period from last increase

2024-2025 Example Calculation:

Current Rent: $2,500/month
CPI increase: 2.1%
Maximum allowed: CPI + 3% = 5.1%
Max new rent: $2,500 × 1.051 = $2,627.50
Monthly increase: $127.50

Hardship Increases:

Landlords can request larger increases for:

Major capital improvements (with proper documentation)
Substantial rehabilitation costs
Property tax increases above normal
Utility cost increases (if landlord pays)

Process: Must apply to housing agency with proof of expenses and get approval BEFORE implementing increase.

What Qualifies as "Good Cause" for Eviction?

Acceptable Reasons for Eviction:

1. Non-Payment of Rent:

Failure to pay rent when due
Must follow proper notice procedures
Tenant has right to cure (pay owed amount)

2. Lease Violations:

Material breach of lease terms
Nuisance behavior affecting other tenants
Illegal use of premises
Unauthorized pets (if lease prohibits)

3. Holdover After Lease Expiration:

Refusing to leave after proper notice
Landlord chooses not to renew
Must still have good cause for non-renewal

4. Owner/Family Use:

Owner or immediate family moving in
Must be primary residence for 3+ years
Cannot be pretext for illegal eviction

5. Substantial Renovation:

Major construction requiring vacant unit
Must offer right of first refusal to return
Tenant may be entitled to relocation assistance

What Is NOT Good Cause:

❌ Wanting higher rent from new tenant
❌ Selling property (new owner takes subject to lease)
❌ Personal dislike of tenant
❌ Minor lease violations
❌ Retaliation for exercising tenant rights
❌ Discrimination based on protected characteristics

Lease Renewal Rights

Automatic Renewal Entitlement:

Landlord must offer lease renewal to tenants in good standing
Same terms as expiring lease (except allowed rent increase)
Cannot refuse renewal without good cause
Must provide proper notice period (usually 30-90 days)

Renewal Process:

Landlord sends renewal offer within required timeframe
Tenant has right to accept and continue tenancy
Rent increase limited to good cause amounts
Terms cannot be substantially changed without agreement

If Landlord Refuses Renewal:

Must state specific good cause reason
Tenant can challenge in court
Burden of proof on landlord to show good cause
Tenant can remain during legal proceedings

How to Challenge Wrongful Eviction

Step 1: Document Everything

Keep all rent receipts and payment records
Document any lease violations claimed
Save all communications with landlord
Take photos of apartment condition
Keep records of maintenance requests

Step 2: Know Your Notice Rights

Proper Notice Requirements:

Non-payment: Usually 14 days to cure
Lease violations: 10-30 days to cure (varies)
Holdover: 30 days minimum notice
Owner use: 90-120 days notice (varies by area)

Step 3: Legal Response Options

In Eviction Proceeding:

Appear in court on scheduled date
Raise good cause defense if no valid reason exists
Challenge notice defects if improper
Request legal representation (right to counsel in NYC)

Affirmative Challenges:

File complaint with local housing agency
Sue for wrongful eviction attempt
Seek damages for harassment or illegal eviction
Request injunctive relief to stop eviction

Rent Increase Challenges

When to Challenge an Increase:

Increase exceeds good cause limits
No proper notice given
Increase appears retaliatory
Major capital improvement claims seem false

Challenge Process:

Request documentation of claimed justification
File complaint with housing authority
Gather evidence disputing landlord claims
Attend hearing or mediation
Withhold excess only if ordered by agency

Evidence to Gather:

Comparable rent data in building/neighborhood
Documentation of building's actual condition
Records of improvements (or lack thereof)
Timeline of tenant-landlord disputes

Tenant Protection Strategies

Maintain Perfect Tenancy Record:

Pay rent on time, every time
Follow all lease terms
Document compliance with building rules
Keep apartment in good condition
Report maintenance issues promptly

Know Your Building's Coverage:

Verify good cause laws apply to your building
Understand local variations and protections
Check building age and ownership type
Confirm unit count and regulatory status

Build Paper Trail:

All communications in writing
Keep copies of lease, rent receipts, notices
Document any landlord harassment
Save records of all interactions

Exceptions and Limitations

Small Building Exceptions:

Many jurisdictions exempt:

Buildings with 3 or fewer units
Owner-occupied buildings
Single-family homes
Some newer construction

Tenant Behavior Exceptions:

Good cause protection doesn't prevent eviction for:

Serious lease violations
Criminal activity on premises
Nuisance behavior
Substantial property damage

Market Rate vs. Regulated:

Good cause adds protection to market-rate units
Doesn't change existing rent-stabilized protections
May interact with other local tenant protection laws
Can coexist with additional local regulations

Economic Impact and Market Effects

For Tenants:

Benefits:

Predictable rent increases
Protection from arbitrary eviction
Increased housing stability
Reduced displacement pressure

Considerations:

May reduce mobility if rent below market
Could affect apartment quality/maintenance
Legal costs if challenging landlord actions

For Landlords:

Challenges:

Limited rent increase ability
More complex eviction procedures
Potential for longer legal processes
Increased documentation requirements

Adaptations:

More thorough tenant screening
Better property maintenance
Professional property management
Focus on tenant retention

State vs. Local Variations

New York State Law:

Statewide good cause eviction protection
Covers most unregulated apartments
3% or CPI+3% rent increase limits
Applies to buildings with 4+ units

Local Enhancements:

Some cities/counties add:

Lower rent increase caps
Broader building coverage
Additional tenant protections
Enhanced enforcement mechanisms

Verify Your Coverage:

Check both state and local laws
Contact local tenant organization
Review with housing attorney if needed
Confirm building-specific applicability

Getting Help with Good Cause Issues

Legal Assistance:

Housing Court Help Centers: Free guidance
Legal Aid Organizations: Income-qualified representation
Tenant Rights Groups: Know-your-rights workshops
Private Attorneys: For complex cases

Government Resources:

Local housing agencies: File complaints
State housing authority: Statewide guidance
Attorney General: Consumer protection
311: NYC reporting for violations

Tenant Organizations:

Met Council on Housing: Tenant advocacy and organizing
Tenants & Neighbors: Housing rights support
Housing Justice for All: Statewide advocacy
Local tenant unions: Building-specific organizing

Secure Your Housing Stability

👉 Find apartments in buildings with good landlord practices using RentReboot alerts. Good cause protection works best when combined with responsive property management and fair dealing from day one.