Updated on June 23rd, 2023
A New York lease agreement is used when a tenant and landlord wish to enter into an arrangement wherein the tenant will rent the landlord’s property. The format of the contract will vary depending on whether it is for residential or commercial purposes and if it is for an annual or at-will (month-to-month or week-to-week) tenancy. The landlord should include any stipulations they may have regarding prohibited activities, pets, special fees, and the payment of utilities to ensure that these terms are agreed to in writing.
Rental Application – This form can be filled out by potential tenants as a means of obtaining their rental, work, and credit history.
Contents |
Agreements: By Type (6)
Commercial Lease Agreement – Allows an individual or business to rent property for retail, office, warehouse, or production use.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Rent-to-Own Agreement (Lease Option) – This rental agreement allows the tenant to purchase the rental property in accordance with the contract’s terms.
Download: PDF
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A rental agreement that renews and is paid month-to-month.
Download: PDF
Roommate Agreement – Roommates can use this form to make an agreement regarding payments, duties, and rules in their shared residential space.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Standard (1-year) Lease Agreement – The vast majority of rental arrangements use this contract. It has a one (1) year term and is paid monthly, usually on the first (1st) of the month.
Download: PDF
Sublease Agreement – If a tenant rents a part (or all) of their rental space to another individual, they should use this contract.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Disclosures (8) |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
3) Building Smoking Policy Disclosure (NYC Only) (NYC Admin. Code § 17-505) – If a residential building contains three (3) or more units, this disclosure must be used to identify the permitted smoking areas. Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
6) Sprinkler System Disclosure (RPP § 231-A) – Residential leases must contain a disclosure stating whether there is an operative sprinkler system on the premises. Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Landlord’s Access
General Access – No statute.
Emergency Access – No statute.
Rent
Grace Period (§ 238-A(2)) – Tenants have five (5) days (including the initial due date) to pay rent before the landlord can charge late fees.
Maximum Fees ($) (§ 238-A(2)) – Fifty dollars ($50) or five percent (5%) of the monthly rent, whichever is less.
Rent Increase Notice (§ 266-C) – If the landlord increases the rent by more than five percent (5%), they must provide the tenant with:
- Thirty (30) days’ notice for tenancies less than one (1) year;
- Sixty (60) days’ notice for tenancies between one (1) and two (2) years; or
- Ninety (90) days’ notice for tenancies two (2) years or longer.
Security Deposits
Maximum Amount ($) (Emergency Tenant Protection Act 576/74(f)) – The maximum amount that a landlord may demand for a security deposit is one (1) month’s rent.
Returning to Tenant (§ 7-108(e)) – Deposits must be returned to tenants within fourteen (14) days from the date that the tenant vacated the property.
Interest Required? (§ 7-103(2-a)) – Yes, if the rental property has at least six (6) residential units, security deposits must be placed in an interest-bearing account.
Separate Bank Account? (§ 7-103(1)) – Yes, the landlord must keep deposits separate from their personal bank accounts.