DEFINITIONS SCRIE • Senior citizens need to file an application with
Division of Housing and Process supporting documentation with the appropriate
Community Renewal (DHCR): government agency.
DHCR is the New York State • The agency will review the application and issue a
agency that invests in communities, written decision. If a rent exemption certificate is issued,
preserves and protects affordable a “frozen rent” will be established and future increases
housing and enforces the state’s in rent will not be paid by the tenant. The owner will
rent control and rent stabilization receive tax benefits instead.
laws.
Special • An owner cannot evict a tenant from a rent stabilized
Senior Citizen Rent Increase
Rights apartment in New York City (NYC) for personal or
Exemption (SCRIE): Senior Citizen
immediate family use and occupancy if the tenant or
Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
their spouse is 62 or older, has been a tenant for 15
helps eligible senior citizens stay
years or more, or is a disabled person unless the owner
in affordable housing with a rent
provides an equivalent or superior apartment at the
freeze. If their rent goes up, people
same or lower rent in a nearby area.
with SCRIE do not have to pay the
higher rent. • An owner cannot evict a tenant from a rent stabilized
apartment outside of NYC or a rent controlled apartment
statewide for personal or immediate family use and
occupancy when a member of the household is 62
years or older, or has been a tenant for 15 years or more,
or is a disabled person.
• An owner can’t evict a rent stabilized or rent controlled
tenant statewide, for personal or immediate family use
and occupancy, in buildings converted to a non-eviction
cooperative.