Is Good Cause Eviction Making NYC Rents Go Up?
The data says yes. Good Cause Eviction was designed to protect tenants from unfair rent hikes and no-cause evictions. But it has created a secondary effect that economists predicted and politicians largely ignored. Tenants protected by the law are staying in their apartments significantly longer. They have guaranteed lease renewals, capped rent increases, and stable monthly costs. The financial incentive to move has dropped substantially.
The problem is what happens downstream. When existing tenants do not move, the available inventory of free market apartments shrinks. NYC already has a 1.4 percent rental vacancy rate, the lowest since 1968. Reducing turnover in roughly 1 million units further constrains supply for anyone trying to enter or move within the rental market. The result is rising rents for new tenants.
How Much Can My Landlord Raise My Rent Under Good Cause Eviction?
Under Good Cause, rent increases above 5 percent plus inflation, or 10 percent total (whichever is lower), can be challenged in court as unreasonable. For 2026, the local rent standard is approximately 8.79 percent, calculated as 5 percent plus an inflation rate of about 3.79 percent. If your landlord raises rent above that threshold, you can take it to housing court. Talk to Joseph Ranola if you are considering buying instead of renting in Staten Island or Brooklyn.
Does Good Cause Eviction Apply to All Apartments in NYC?
No. Good Cause primarily covers free market rental units in buildings with 10 or more units. It does not apply to rent-stabilized apartments, owner-occupied buildings with fewer units, condos, or co-ops. It covers approximately 1 million of the roughly 2.3 million total rental units in NYC. Buildings with fewer units are protected from large rent increases at renewal but not from non-renewal if the landlord has cause.
What Does Good Cause Eviction Mean for NYC Homeowners and Buyers?
For homeowners, Good Cause can affect property values in buildings with 10+ rental units. Landlords facing constrained rental income may sell, creating opportunities for investors or owner-occupants. For buyers considering whether to rent or buy, the tightening rental market may push more people toward homeownership. Use our home affordability calculator to see what you can afford in Staten Island or Brooklyn.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/4F27xzK-QoI
Daily Tesla News is your daily dose of NYC real estate news that actually matters. Covering Staten Island and Brooklyn markets, policy changes, and homeowner tips.
Brought to you by Joseph Ranola, 65+ 5-star Google reviewed real estate agent covering Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Have questions about this topic or any episode? Try the DTN AI chatbot – it knows every episode we have ever done.
