The various Rent Guidelines Boards each set rates Rents may be reduced if the owner fails to provide
for rent increases in rent stabilized apartments in required services, or fails to make necessary
their respective municipalities (see Fact Sheets repairs for an individual apartment or on a
#8 and #26). These guideline rates are set once building-wide basis. Examples of such conditions
a year and are effective for vacancy and renewal are lack of heat/ hot water, unsanitary common
leases beginning on or after October 1st of each areas (halls, lobby), and broken door locks. If a
year. Effective June 14, 2019, there is no statutory tenant receives a rent reduction from DHCR, the
vacancy rate and no rent guidelines board vacancy owner cannot collect any rent increases until
rate. Additional details are provided in Fact Sheets services are restored and DHCR restores the rent.
#5 and #26.
Harassment
Both in New York City and the ETPA covered
communities, rents can be increased during the The law prohibits harassment of rent regulated
lease period in any one of three ways, so long as tenants. Owners found guilty of intentional actions
the lease provides for the collection of an increase to force a tenant to vacate an apartment can be
during the lease term: denied lawful rent increases and may be subject
to both civil and criminal penalties. Owners found
1. with the written consent of the tenant in guilty of tenant harassment are subject to fines.
occupancy, if the owner increases services
or equipment, or makes improvements to Rent Registration
an apartment;
Within 90 days after an apartment first becomes
2. with DHCR approval, if the owner installs a subject to rent stabilization, an owner is
building-wide major capital improvement; or required to file an initial