What Is Good Cause Eviction?

Good Cause Eviction is a New York State law, effective in New York City since April 20, 2024, that limits when a landlord can evict a tenant or refuse to renew a lease and lets covered tenants challenge steep rent increases.

Codified as Article 6-A of the Real Property Law, it gives market-rate tenants who are not already covered by rent stabilization or rent control two protections: the right to a renewal lease unless the owner has a legally defined good cause to end the tenancy, and the ability to contest a rent increase above the local rent standard. It applies automatically in New York City; other municipalities must opt in.

The recognized grounds include nonpayment of rent, a substantial lease violation left uncured after a 10-day notice, nuisance, illegal use, and the owner’s own need to occupy or withdraw the unit. The local rent standard is the lower of 10% or the regional Consumer Price Index plus 5%, published by HCR each year; an increase above it is presumptively unreasonable, though an owner can defend a larger one in court by proving rising costs.

Many units are exempt, among them those in buildings with a certificate of occupancy dated on or after January 1, 2009, apartments owned by a landlord with 10 or fewer units statewide, co-op and condo units, and units renting above 245% of the area’s federal Fair Market Rent. 

One rule reaches everyone: since August 18, 2024, every owner, exempt or not, must attach a Good Cause notice to each lease, renewal, and eviction notice. New York City’s HPD page on the law details the covered units and current thresholds.

For an owner of market-rate rentals, Good Cause reshaped two routine calls: what to charge at renewal, and whether to renew at all. MD Squared attaches the required notice to every lease, keeps renewal increases inside the local rent standard or documents the case for going above it, and brings in counsel when a non-renewal has to hold up in Housing Court. That work runs through our Rent Stabilization Consulting service. Reach out to our team to pressure-test your renewal process.